MTA's frontline workers begin COVID-19 vaccinations at Javits Center

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations for its workforce at the state-operated Jacob K. Javits Center.

More than 126 employees received vaccinations on the first day, with plans to vaccinate thousands more in the coming weeks.

“This vaccine is our best shot at ending this pandemic once and for all,” said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety & security officer. “Health experts assure that the vaccine is safe and effective. I am grateful that our workforce, who showed up for work day in and day out at the height of the pandemic, is being prioritized in the vaccine rollout and this time showing up to get their shot. We applaud [New York] Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for their leadership, and look forward to working together to vaccinate the frontline heroes of this pandemic.” 

MTA employees are included in priority group 1B of the vaccine’s eligibility. The Javits Center is one of three state-run vaccination sites that began opening across the state Jan. 13 in an effort to expedite the vaccination rate, including the Westchester County Center and New York State Fair Expo Center. The authority says it plans to roll out an MTA vaccination program in the coming weeks to vaccinate as many members of its workforce as quickly as possible.