Maloney, AOC Call For Vaccination Sites At Astoria Senior Centers

ASTORIA, QUEENS – Officials are calling for Mayor Bill de Blasio to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites in Hellenic-American Neighborhood Association (HANAC) senior facilities, including some in Astoria and Long Island City.

In a letter to de Blasio sent this week, Congresswomen Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) encouraged the mayor to add vaccination sites to Archbishop Iakovos Senior Residence and HANAC PCA Senior Residence in Long Island City; and George T. Douris Tower in Astoria.

HANAC is a citywide social service organization that owns and operates 650 senior affordable housing units in five residential buildings through Queens. HANAC residents are part of the high-risk demographic for severe outcomes if they contract COVID-19 and many are homebound and do not have access to technology necessary to secure a vaccine appointment.

"Not only are they in the highest priority group for receiving COVID-19 vaccines, but a large portion of these residents also have mental and physical disabilities that make it exceptionally difficult for them to travel to the nearest vaccination site," the congresswomen wrote in the letter.

Maloney and Ocasio-Cortez said adding vaccination sites to these residential buildings would eliminate barriers to access by offering the opportunity for assistance with vaccine registration.

"Vaccine distribution should be easy, accessible, and free for all," they wrote. "That is why we ask that you give full and fair consideration to adding on-site vaccination clinics at each of the HANAC senior affordable housing residences."