In an effort to vaccinate college students before they return home for summer, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state will deliver COVID-19 vaccines directly to colleges and universities.
The state will allocate 35,000 vaccines to the State University of New York (SUNY) and private colleges. Students can book an appointment directly through their schools.
“We will be giving direct allocations to schools, colleges, universities, so they can vaccinate their students in their facilities. Let’s stamp this beast to death while we can,” Cuomo said Monday during a press-free event at Suffolk County Community College.
One in four New Yorkers has completed the vaccination process and the state has administered 12 million doses so far, Cuomo said during a press conference later the same day.
However, due to the spread of new variants, New York State’s positivity rate has shot up from 3.06 percent in February to 3.75 percent now. Keeping this in mind, the state is encouraging all New Yorkers over 16 to get the jab.
“The 18 to 24 population is a population that is growing in positivity. We have them in schools; let’s use the schools as the base for the vaccine,” Cuomo said.
Earlier this month, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced residential students at the university would receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of their spring semester.
Over 18,600 doses were distributed to 34 SUNY campuses, hoping to secure additional doses over the next several weeks.
“We strongly encourage all students to schedule their appointments as soon as they can; to do their part in protecting themselves, their families, and their communities,” Malatras said.
