July 9th, 2021 – As news broke that the New York State mass vaccination site at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood would close, Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of Catholic Health, and the Town of Islip announced plans to convert the current testing site at the Brentwood Recreation Center to provide FREE drive-thru Moderna vaccinations for all residents. With new strains regularly appearing, vaccination continues to be the most important way for residents to protect themselves and their loved ones against the COVID-19 virus. Data has shown that Brentwood was regularly a COVID-19 hot spot throughout the pandemic.
WATCH NOW: Good Samaritan & the Town of Islip Collaborate on COVID Vaccine Site in Brentwood
“Creating an awareness that we’re offering FREE vaccines is crucial to ensuring the health and well-being of our residents, before we’re inundated with the Delta strain,” said Town of Islip Supervisor, Angie Carpenter. “This site is the only drive-thru vaccination site on the south shore of Suffolk County. We hope the ease and convenience will lead to more people getting vaccinated,” she said.The Delta variant of COVID-19, originating in India, has become the dominant strain in the United States. It is highly transmissible and there are fears that it will become the cause of a new surge in cases later in the year.
“Speaking with my colleagues in the Emergency Department at Good Samaritan, I asked them ‘what was one message they would like me to convey to the community,’ stated Chair of Emergency Medicine for Catholic Health Christopher Raio, MD. “Their response, vaccinate…vaccinate…vaccinate.”
This is one of many pop-up vaccination sites provided by Good Samaritan Hospital. The hospital has also collaborated with the Town of Islip on vaccinations at the popular drive-in movie nights, held at local parks on Monday evenings throughout the summer. Upcoming dates can be viewed at islipny.gov. In addition, vaccines are being offered at Central Islip High School on July 22 and August 19 in a similar collaboration, which also includes Suffolk County.
“As one of the premier health care providers in the region, it is important for Good Samaritan to go directly into communities, providing easier access for residents,” stated Good Samaritan Hospital President Ruth E. Hennessey. “This site has been in operation since November and has become a regular staple in the community. Its success as a testing site is what has led us to switch to offering vaccines.”
To register for any of Good Samaritan’s pop-up vaccination sites, call (631) 376-3224.