3 Coronavirus Vaccine Sites Offer Walk-In Shots For NYers 75+

NEW YORK CITY — Let's face it — booking appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine is a pain and potential barrier against the life-saving shot.

But some New Yorkers — specifically those 75 and up, plus one eligible city dweller of any age — can forgo the sometimes-maddening search for open slots by simply strolling into one of three city-run vaccine sites.

Citi Field in Queens, Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn and Bathgate Contract Postal Station in the Bronx offer vaccinations without appointments for those New Yorkers, city officials announced Monday. All the sites are open 24/7.

"New Yorkers 75 and over are at high risk from COVID-19, and we need to do everything in our power to help them get vaccinated," said Dr. Ted Long, executive director of the NYC Test & Trace Corps, in a statement. "We need to tear down all barriers for New Yorkers 75 and older to be vaccinated, and our new practice of walk-up vaccinations for them and an eligible escort makes it as convenient as possible for them and their loved ones."

Walk-in vaccinations have been rare-to-nonexistent in New York City since the inoculation effort started in December.

The announcement about the walk-in appointment coincided with a wider opening of vaccine eligibility in the state. Starting Tuesday, New Yorkers 30 and up can receive the vaccine, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

All New Yorkers 16 and up can receive the vaccine starting April 6.

For the walk-in sites, New Yorkers 75 years and older will need to show proof of their age when they arrive. The person accompanying them can be any age, but must be eligible for the vaccine due to age, medical condition, employment or other reasons.

The escort must live in New York City or work in New York City in an eligible essential job.

The addresses for the walk-in sites are:

Brooklyn Army Terminal
140 58th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220

Bathgate Contract Postal Station
4006 3rd Avenue
Bronx, NY 10457

Citi Field
36-2 126th St
Queens, NY 11368

The city offers free transportation to and from vaccine sites for adults who are over age 65 or have an ambulatory, visual, intellectual, or developmental disability. To reserve transportation, including ambulette and cab options, call 877-VAX-4-NYC.

All other eligible New Yorkers may reserve an appointment by calling 877 – VAX – 4NYC or by visiting nyc.gov/VaccineFinder.

Patch writer Anna Quinn contributed to this report.