PATCHOGUE, NY - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) urged Governor Andrew Cuomo and Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to establish state vaccination sites on the East End of Long Island. Currently, the closest state vaccination sites for residents of the North and South Forks are located in Stony Brook, up to 75 miles away from East End residents, and Jones Beach, which is up to 100 miles away.
“The hours it could take East End residents to travel to these vaccination sites are an undue burden, especially for those Long Islanders who need the vaccine most, including our seniors, frontline workers, and others,” wrote Congressman Zeldin. “The state should immediately set up East End locations. Time is of the essence, and the state must urgently rectify this lack of accessibility for my East End constituents.”
Full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Zucker,
As drug companies, researchers, Operation Warp Speed, and others have helped yield multiple COVID-19 vaccines in record time, states must now do everything possible to equitably distribute these vaccines. As the State of New York has established vaccination sites to further its distribution plan, I am concerned that inaccessibility for constituents on the East End of Long Island will hamper equitable distribution.
I commend the State of New York for setting up a mass vaccination site in Stony Brook, which serves the more densely populated area of my district. However, this vaccination site is up to 75 miles away from the over 100,000 people living on the North and South Forks. The next closest State vaccination site at Jones Beach is even further, located up to 100 miles away. The hours it could take East End residents to travel to these vaccination sites are an undue burden, especially for those Long Islanders who need the vaccine most, including our seniors, frontline workers, and others.
The state should immediately set up East End locations. Time is of the essence, and the state must urgently rectify this lack of accessibility for my East End constituents. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Lee Zeldin
Member of Congress
Original source can be found here.
