Vaccine for All: NYC Test & Trace Corps and New York Public Library Announce Partnership to Bring Mobile Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics to Communities in Need

Walk-up vaccinations of Pfizer to be offered for free outside select library branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

Vaccine for All: NYC Test & Trace Corps and New York Public Library Announce Partnership to Bring Mobile Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics to Communities in Need

(New York – June 8, 2021) – The NYC Test & Trace Corps and the New York Public Library today announced a partnership to reach New Yorkers in their own neighborhoods with mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics outside select local library branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island where the need is high.

“As New York City continues its recovery this summer, we must reach our communities most in need with the vaccine to ensure progress and safety for everyone, including New Yorkers ages 12 and older,” said Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director of the NYC Test & Trace Corps and Senior Vice President for Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our partnership with the New York Public Library tears down barriers and brings the free Pfizer vaccine to local branches serving more families and young New Yorkers.”

Starting tomorrow, vaccination vans outside or nearby neighborhood library branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island will offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers for free. No appointments are necessary and walk-ups are welcome. Vaccination clinic staff will administer the vaccine and assist with setting up an appointment for the second dose at another City location.

In addition, the Library’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library—which held its grand reopening on June 1 following a complete renovation of the building—will have a mobile vaccine bus outside the branch from June 14 to June 16. The bus, operated by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across the street from the Library’s iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

The vaccination vans operated by the NYC Test & Trace Corps are scheduled to visit branches from 8 a.m.  to 6 p.m. The vans will be available at the following locations and dates:

Bronx

  • Bronx Library Center: June 9 – June 12, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Allerton Library: June 16 – June 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Francis Martin Library: June 23 – June 26, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Soundview Library: June 23 – June 26, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Edenwald Library: June 30 – July 2, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Manhattan

  • Harlem Library: June 9 – June 12, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Seward Park Library: June 16 – June 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Staten Island

  • Stapleton Library: June 9 – June 12, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • New Dorp Library: June 16 – June 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • St. George Library: June 23 – June 26, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The mobile language clinics are part of the Community Vaccine Clinic program operated by the NYC Test & Trace Corps in partnership with City agencies and community organizations to remove barriers and make vaccination accessible for all New Yorkers. To date, more than 40,000 New Yorkers have been fully vaccinated through the program at 150 unique mobile and pop-up locations including public housing developments, houses of worship and consulates across the five boroughs. For more information on community clinic locations, visit nyc.gov/vcc.

After closing all locations in March last year due to COVID-19, NYPL has been offering grab-and-go service since last summer and recently expanded service to offer limited browsing and computer use by appointment at over 50 locations. Next month, the Library expects to reopen its remaining branches to offer this enhanced service and plans to add services such as general space use, programs, and classes as quickly as circumstances allow. For more information about the Library’s COVID-19 plans and resources available, please visit https://www.nypl.org/about/coronavirus.

“Libraries are places of learning, discovery, fun and health,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Vaccination and libraries are a natural pairing and we’re thrilled to support this partnership.”

“New York City is facing a critical moment in its recovery from this pandemic and the Library is grateful to partner with the Test & Trace Corps and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide New Yorkers with quick and convenient options to get vaccinated when they are coming to or by libraries,” said NYPL President Anthony W. Marx. “Together, we can all participate in the renewal of our City and turn the page on an immensely difficult and challenging time.” 

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