Vaccine for All: NYC Opening New Vaccine Site at Flushing Library in Queens

March 9, 2021

One of 5 City workforce sites will relocate to Flushing Library and expand to include dedicated community slots 

Queens Public Library will also host additional vaccination sites, with details coming soon

NEW YORK— Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City will open a new vaccination site at the Flushing Library in Flushing, Queens, with plans to open additional sites in partnership with the Queens Public Library system to serve community members in neighborhoods across the borough.

“With more supply coming online, we are expanding the number of sites to serve the people of our city across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new partnership with Queens Public Library will help us put shots in the arms of Queens residents right in the heart of their communities.”

“Flushing Library is uniquely positioned to serve as a site where the vaccine can be distributed to high numbers of people, given its standing as a trusted center of community, prominent location, heavy foot traffic and convenient access to public transportation,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We made the decision to temporarily suspend library service at Flushing only after careful consideration of a number of factors, including the high need in the community and our ability to offer resources at nearby branches. As we work towards our city’s recovery, we recognize that the sooner more people are vaccinated, the sooner our libraries can fully reopen and the better for the public we serve and for our city as a whole.”

The Flushing Library located at 41-17 Main St will initially replace and expand upon the existing City workforce site in Queens, which is currently operated by FDNY and administering to City employees at John Adams High School. This new vaccination site, which will initially offer more than 200 appointments per day, will now also include dedicated appointments for eligible Queens residents, and will be open six days a week, from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Additional days and appointments will be available as supply increases citywide. Later this week, eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC. 

Details about additional QPL vaccination sites will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m thrilled to learn that Mayor de Blasio will open a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Flushing Library in Flushing, Queens. I have been advocating for this and I am grateful the Mayor is delivering,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Nearly a year ago, my district in Queens was at the nexus of the epicenter of this pandemic. We cannot ever go back to those days – and this site will help make sure that we do not. I encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated when possible. We must get every eligible person vaccinated, if we are to safely return to normalcy.”

"Queens residents deserve access and close proximity to vaccination sites and the Queens Public Library sites will go a long way toward increasing access," said Assembly Member Nily Rozic. "Almost every neighborhood in the borough has a local QPL branch--this is a common-sense partnership and I look forward to seeing this site open in Flushing and increasing vaccination sites across Queens."