January 20, 2021: Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Dear Colleagues, 

Vaccinations are continuing today, January 20th. 

It was another productive day at the Armory, and everyone we talk to about getting vaccinated there is so grateful. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who are making this possible. They are nearing their 10,000th vaccination! 

To help streamline vaccinations, all 1st dose vaccinations this week will be at the Armory, with the exception of a special event at Milstein on Friday, Jan. 22. In addition, as outlined below, second doses this week are administered in separate locations, by vaccine brand; please go to the right location based on the vaccine brand you received for the first dose. 

As of today, over 38,000 faculty, staff, and students at NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell, and Columbia have received their first dose of the vaccine. There have also been over 12,000 second doses administered. First dose vaccinations include over 17,000 individuals on the Columbia Campus who are working in patient care areas, with over 7,200 of them Columbia employees and students. 

CUIMC and Columbia University Employees Included in New York State Phases 1a and 1b

Phase 1A 

CUIMC staff included in 1A are individuals who directly interact with patients and all care team members and staff who provide in-person support to those delivering patient care. It also includes those conducting COVID-19 tests, handling COVID-19 specimens, and administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

CUIMC staff in these roles should come in to receive a vaccine as soon as possible at the Armory. No appointments are necessary. Please see the hours and locations below. 

Phase 1B 

CUIMC and Columbia University employees age 65 and older (category 1B) must make an appointment through Connect, and they will receive vaccinations at The Armory, located at 168th and Fort Washington.  

New York State requires a self-attestation that must be signed at the vaccination site attesting that a person is eligible for vaccination based on the current phases of distribution. 

CUIMC Employees in Phase 1A Vaccination Locations and Hours for the Remainder of this Week 

Wednesday 1/20/21 – Thursday 1/21/21

  • Armory: First dose will be administered without an appointment during hours of operation 7 am to 9 pm 
  • Myrna Daniels Auditorium: Pfizer second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 
  • MSCH Tower 103: Pfizer second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 
  • Alumni Auditorium Black Building: Moderna second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 

Friday 1/22/21 

  • Milstein Heart Center Room 3 & 4: First doses will be administered from 6 am - 9 pm (no appointments) only for patient facing and direct support staff. This is a special event. 
  • Myrna Daniels Auditorium: Pfizer second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 
  • MSCH Tower 103: Pfizer second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 
  • Alumni Auditorium Black Building: Moderna second doses only from 6 am - 9 pm 

Saturday 1/23/21

  • Second doses of Pfizer will be administered in the Myrna Daniels Auditorium in Milstein Hospital and Tower 103 for MSCH staff from 12 - 8 pm. 
  • Second doses of Moderna for CUIMC and MSCH staff will be administered in Alumni Auditorium, Black Building, from 12 - 8 pm

Sunday 1/24/21 

  • Second doses of Pfizer will be administered in the Myrna Daniels Auditorium in Milstein Hospital and Tower 103 for MSCH staff from 6 am - 2 pm
  • Second doses of Moderna  for CUIMC and MSCH staff will be administered in Alumni Auditorium, Black Building, from 6 am - 2 pm

Columbia employees who work at the Allen Hospital and Lawrence Hospital can be vaccinated there. Please make sure to return to these locations if that is where you received your first dose. 

Second Dose Vaccinations (Individuals in Phase 1A)

Second dose reminders are sent via Connect. Please note: if you are on the CUIMC campus your appointment in Connect may list the WHS office on Ft. Washington; please disregard those instructions and instead go to the locations outlined for this week in the table above. For questions about where/when to go for your second dose on each campus, please go to the Employee Information section on the VaccineTogetherNY.org site.  

Patient and Community Vaccinations at the Armory

At this time, per NYS, we are vaccinating people age 65 and over who live in the state of New York. Individuals eligible due to their age must produce proof of age and proof of residence in New York. To prove New York residence, an individual must show: 

  • One of the following: Statement from landlord: Current rent receipt or lease; Mortgage records; or 
  • Two of the following: Statement from another person; current mail; school records. 

For those who meet these eligibility criteria, appointments can be made through Connect and appointment availability can be checked on the VaccineTogetherNY.org site. Information is also available at 646.697.VACC. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The FAQ documents on the CUIMC COVID Vaccine Information page continue to be updated, so please check the site for the latest versions. Below is the Question of the Day: 

I am wondering if there is any reason to worry, based on the current push to release reserved second doses, that we will not have the doses available for our second vaccine on our scheduled date. Are you still certain you will have the doses needed to give the doses on the scheduled dates? 

We expect to have enough second doses to offer to all of our health care personnel who received first doses. 

Thank you and stay safe! 

Magda Sobieszczyk MD, MPH 
Chief of Infectious Diseases and Co-Chair of the CUIMC COVID-19 Vaccine Committee 

Melissa Stockwell MD, MPH  
Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Health and Co-Chair of the CUIMC COVID-19 Vaccine Committee