NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The mass COVID-19 vaccination sites at Yankee Stadium and the Javits Center are being turned into 24-hour operations this week.
The sites will be offering the newly-approved, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to eligible New Yorkers during overnight hours, while supplies last. It's not clear how many nights the sites will be open.
The move is part of a pilot program announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Appointments at Yankee Stadium for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine go live at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Individuals can schedule a booking by visiting Somosvaccinations.com or by calling 1-833-SomosNY.
The shots will be administered at the ballpark starting Thursday night from 8 p.m. in 7 a.m. Friday.
As he waited in line for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, Manuel Sigora was feeling optimistic now that more people will be protected.
"Cause I'm a livery taxi driver so I deal with the public every day, eight hours a day, so it's great news," he said.
"I think it's great, this is a big hub and we got a lot of people coming in. If we get to the herd immunity, that's what I pray for every day," said Janet Rios who was at the stadium for her shot early Wednesday morning.
The Javits Center will start distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Friday night into Saturday morning. Any New York resident can book an appointment at the convention center starting 8 a.m. Thursday.
Eligible New Yorkers seeking appointments should visit New York's 'Am I Eligible' website or call the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
The shot will also be available at the New York State Fair Site in Syracuse.
Cuomo said New York will get about 165,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but another shipment won't be coming for 10 days.
As the federal supply of the vaccine increases it will be made available to more sites throughout the state.
"The White House has made great process securing additional Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and New York State will receive a large initial allocation of them to be administered over the next week," Governor Cuomo said. "There will then be a lag in Johnson & Johnson production until it ticks up again roughly two weeks later. This pilot plan will maximize the initial doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and get as many shots in arms as possible."
A patient being discharged from South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore will receive the first shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Long Island on Wednesday afternoon.
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