The Press Release:
New Yorkers have until the end of the month to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at the American Museum of Natural History. The New York City vaccination site, which first opened in April 2021 and has administered more than 97,000 vaccinations, will have its last operating day on Thursday, March 31. As it approaches the 100,000-vaccination milestone, the Museum encourages those who have not yet been vaccinated or gotten their booster to do so. Everyone who receives vaccinations at the Museum also will receive a voucher for complimentary general admission. Starting April 1, a New York City mobile vaccination bus will be temporarily stationed outside of the Museum at 77th Street and Central Park West to serve anyone seeking a walk-in vaccination.
The Museum’s vaccination site opened almost a year ago, on April 23, 2021, as part of a historic partnership with the City. It was first located in the Museum’s Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, featuring the iconic blue whale with a prominent post-vaccination bandage on her fin. The whale’s bandage will remain in place to show the Museum’s continued support of the vaccination effort.
“The Museum is so proud to have partnered with the City on this historic and lifesaving effort, which is an embodiment of our important civic role and is exceptionally well-aligned with our mission of fostering scientific research and knowledge,” said Museum President Ellen V. Futter. “It is my hope that, in years to come, images of people getting vaccinated under the iconic blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life will be a reminder of New York and New Yorkers fighting back, caring for themselves and one another, and of the Museum providing support and hope.”
Last month, the Museum began serving as a City distribution site for free, at-home COVID-19 tests, a service that will continue. Tests can be picked up on Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm, at the Museum’s 77th Street entrance.
The Museum also continues to produce resources and programming to improve the public understanding of viruses, vaccines, and public health. Resources include a video series and resource hub, a virtual SciCafe program on April 6 about what the long-term study of viruses can reveal about the aftermath of viral infections, and teaching resources that will be made available later this spring.
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Piercing Ken Thoughts: Well if you’re one of our readers that still needs to get their vaccination and you want to do it in one of the coolest manners possible you best get yourself over to the museum before you can’t do it “under the whale” anymore. I loved this initiative and am a staunch advocate of being vaccinated. My line of work required that I do so and I even get regular tests during the week since I work with so many people. That said I’d rather everyone in my circle of influence be safe during these still precarious times. The above photo was similar to the one sent out in the press release but since I was just at the museum and had my own shot for The Gram, I figured to use it here as well. See you again soon my friends.
Official: https://www.amnh.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturalhistory