Coronavirus NY: State-run vaccination sites go 24/7 as J&J vaccine arrives

Coronavirus Update for New York City

Thursday, March 4, 2021

NY state vaccination sites go 24/7 as J&J vaccine arrives

It's another major step forward in the war on the coronavirus today in New York City, with the arrival of the initial supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York took another major step forward in the war on COVID-19 Thursday, with the arrival of the initial supplies of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and the opening of more vaccination sites.

Much of New York state's allotment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is headed to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

As a result, the state-run site will now operate 24 hours a day, administering the J&J single-dose shot in the overnight hours starting tonight.

Kemberly Richardson has more on when New York City expects to receive its initial shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The state-run Javits Center in Manhattan is also going to 24-hour operations starting Friday night.

Grace Barry stood on line at Yankee Stadium this morning for the second time, moments away from getting her second shot and being able to claim she's fully vaccinated.

"I just want to get a vaccine, and one that will work, so I can go around my friends and family a little bit more confident," she said.

Mignon Warner said she was upset with the lack of transportation from her neighborhood.

"We all had to take taxis," she said. It costs us poor people money. Cost me $25 this morning just to get here."

Lauren Glassberg has the latest on the vaccination sites in NYC and who is next in line for the shot.

There is more vaccine coming directly to neighborhoods.

On its opening day Thursday, the city's new location at Co-op City in the Northeast Bronx opened more than two hours late.

Emanuel Armfield had trouble making an appointment online for the site, which will also be accessible to other residents of the northeast Bronx, including like Edenwald and Wakefield.

"You have to be a computer genius to register online," he said. "They need to simplify that, because I'm pretty good at it. And I know most of the seniors here are totally left out of that process."

The rocky start notwithstanding, Co-op City will play a key role in the city's effort to get seniors vaccinated.

The city has said it will direct most of its initial J&J doses - 71,000 are expected within the next two weeks - to homebound seniors and others with lack of mobility.

16,300 of those doses have already arrived in NYC, and another 8,000 more are in transit.

On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the FDNY will help vaccinate homebound seniors, going door-to-door in buildings and complexes where they live.

The pilot program for this effort is being launched at Co-op City.

WATCH: Mayor de Blasio and Dept. of Aging commissioner detail vax plan for seniors

Mayor Bill de Blasio details NYC's plan to vaccinate seniors via door-to-door visits by FDNY personnel.

"This is going to revolutionize our approach," de Blasio said of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. "What we are going to do is move area by area. We are starting with Co-op City, 40,000 or more people in one place."

The door-to-door vaccination program will continue Friday at 500 Brightwater Court in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.

"We are identifying them (homebound seniors) through home care agencies, home-delivered meals programs... and we are calling those families and making arrangements for them to schedule an appointment and get the vaccine delivered by the fire department," said Department of Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortéz-Vázquez.

In another development Thursday, the Cuomo Administration announced 12 more community-based pop-up vaccination sites coming online.

Here is the list, including locations, opening dates and hours of operation:

NEW YORK CITY

Canaan Baptist Church

132 W 116th St

New York, NY 10026

Open: March 5, 2021; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

NYCHA Chelsea Addition

436 West 27 Drive

New York, NY 10001

Open: March 5, 2021; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Jacob Riis Settlement