Policy

SUNY now vaccinating most employees while campuses serve local communities

Written by NICK PORPORA, Gazette staff writer on

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State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras, at the table at left, announces the first COVID-19 shots were administered for faculty and staff at SUNY Sullivan’s vaccination site last week, as more public-facing employees are eligible for a vaccine. This follows SUNY’s launch of the #ItsYourTurn COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaign targeted at SUNY employees represented by state and local unions.

As the federal vaccine supply continues to increase, SUNY is increasing its number of vaccination sites to meet the demands. 

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced on March 19 the first COVID-19 shots administered to faculty and staff at its SUNY Sullivan vaccination site. This becomes possible as more public-facing employees become eligible for the vaccine. The site has administered 3,000 shots as it serves as a county-run vaccination site.

This news follows the announcement earlier this month that SUNY was expanding its number of state-run vaccination sites to six additional colleges. Those campuses include SUNY Stony Brook, Suffolk Community College Brentwood Campus, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Orange, Corning Community College and SUNY Old Westbury.

The SUNY Oneonta location has just recently opened and the other sites are expected to launch in the coming weeks. 

“These sites are efficient and well-run,” said Malatras earlier this month. “It’s proof that SUNY is agile, adaptable, and ready to meet the needs of every New Yorker during this crucial time.”

Another step that was taken by SUNY to advance the COVID-19 vaccination effort was the launch of a campaign #ItsYourTurn. 

Launched on March 17, the campaign is targeted towards SUNY employees represented by the Civil Service Employees Association, the New York State Public Employees Federation, and United University Professions, which all recently became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The campaign will include PSAs and other awareness promotions that will encourage and educate those employees on the benefits of the vaccine. 

“Over the last year, our devoted faculty and staff at every level have made significant sacrifices to keep our campuses safe and our students learning,” Malatras said. “Now that it’s their turn to receive a COVID vaccine, it’s up to us to provide all the facts, direction, and assistance possible to protect them from this vicious virus and eventually restore normalcy on our campuses.”

Regarding vaccination sites, 35 of SUNY’s 64 campuses are being used, with some of those locations operating more than one site to provide added space. As of March 17, SUNY has administered 500,000 vaccines on campuses with approximately 14,000 appointments scheduled each day.