Workers Start to Set Up Mass Vaccination Site in Johnson City

Equipment is arriving at the site of what will be a state-operated Covid-19 vaccination facility in Broome County.

Workers on Thursday were busy making preparations outside the former Gannett Central New York Production Facility near CFJ Boulevard in Johnson City.

The massive building has been acquired for eventual use as a library annex by Binghamton University. But before that happens, the site will be utilized to administer vaccine to Southern Tier residents.

The mass vaccination site is being established at the former Gannett newspaper printing site in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

State workers and contractors were working at the site. A Clifton Park Rental truck arrived with equipment for the facility. The same Albany-area company provided large tents for the mass testing site that was set up on the Binghamton University campus in Vestal last April.

People familiar with the plans say the operation could be running early next week, perhaps as soon as Monday.

A parking lot at the former Press & Sun-Bulletin printing plant on January 14, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Between 800 and 1,000 vaccine doses may be administered at the site, which is located near a Route 17 exit.

The state has not announced any specific method people may use to set up an appointment for the Johnson City facility.

The New York state government Covid-19 "vaccination hotline" remained inaccessible Thursday afternoon "due to high call volume." A message advised callers to try again later. The hotline number is (833) 697-4829.

Vaccine information also is available online at ny.gov/vaccine.

A Clifton Park Rental truck at the future vaccination site on January 14, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

FLASHBACK: A Clifton Park Rental truck being unloaded at a Covid-19 testing site being set up at Binghamton University on April 28, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)