UB is in the “preliminary” stages of developing an on-campus student vaccination site, according to university spokesperson John DellaContrada.
The school is “actively” working on establishing the site, which is “dependent on the availability of the vaccines in the coming weeks,” DellaContrada said in the statement. He added that further information will be communicated to students in the coming days.
Starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, all New Yorkers aged 16 and older will be able to receive a vaccine for COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced March 29. By expanding the criteria, the state ensured that all UB students residing or working in New York State will be vaccine-eligible for the first time.
“As part of UB’s comprehensive efforts to protect the health and safety of our students, the university is actively working toward ramping up an on-campus vaccination site for UB students,” DellaContrada wrote.
“UB’s plans for a student vaccination site are preliminary at this point and are dependent on the availability of vaccines in the coming weeks, but the university continues to work toward this goal for our students.
“Over the next several days, UB will keep students informed of our plans to establish the site. We remain grateful to our students for their dedication and patience during this very challenging academic year.”
Higher education institutions across the state have already made plans to vaccinate students.
Stony Brook University previously announced that roughly ⅓ of its 4,300 residential students would get the first dose of the Moderna vaccine this Tuesday, according to Newsday.
The University at Albany will distribute 536 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to students Tuesday, according to The Times Union.
The University of Rochester is vaccinating eligible students, faculty and staff through its Medical Center, according to the school’s website.
A Jan. 15 statement on the university’s “Vaccination Updates and Protocols” website says that “the university is not expected to be a direct source for vaccines for UB faculty, staff and students, outside of those who are otherwise eligible.” That section of the webpage has not been updated since.
The Pfizer vaccine is being used in most New York State-operated vaccination sites and requires two doses taken three weeks apart. Second dose appointments at state vaccination sites are scheduled for the same time and location three weeks after the initial shot.
New York State currently operates two mass vaccination sites in Buffalo: at UB’s South Campus and at the Delavan Grider Community Center, which is only open for residents living in certain zip codes, as part of the state’s vaccine equity program.
Vaccines are also available from pharmacies, local health departments, hospitals and other facilities. Tools such as vaccinefinder.org, vaccinehound.org and New York State’s Am I Eligible? app can be used to find and schedule a vaccine appointment.
Grant Ashley is an assistant features editor and can be reached at grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com
Justin Weiss is The Spectrum's managing editor. In his free time, he can be found hiking, playing baseball or throwing things at his TV when his sports teams aren't winning. His words have appeared in Elite Sports New York and the Long Island Herald. He can be found on Twitter @Jwmlb1.
Grant Ashley is the editor in chief of The Spectrum. He's also reported for NPR, WBFO, WIVB and The Buffalo News. He enjoys taking long bike rides, baking with his parents’ ingredients and recreating Bob Ross paintings in crayon. He can be found on the platform formerly known as Twitter at @Grantrashley.
Dan Eastman is the assistant managing editor at The Spectrum. He is a senior geography major who loves Starbucks iced americano. When he isn’t writing and editing he is trying to find the best donut and cookie shops in Buffalo. He can be found on Twitter @TheEastMan2000.
