Rumors, misinformation vaccine seekers stranded outside Brooklyn Army Terminal for second straight day
Coronavirus confusion reigned again Friday as anxious New Yorkers with scheduled appointments were sent home without vaccinations from the shuttered Brooklyn Army Terminal.
A steady stream of frustrated city dwellers were turned away after turning up Friday morning outside the building, one day after a crowd gathered at the Brooklyn site amid false rumors of vaccinations without an appointment — only to leave without receiving any doses as well.
“It’s disappointing,” said teacher Bob Van Pelt of Brooklyn. “I had an appointment for (Friday), but I figured it was a longshot. They told me to reschedule. It’s very disappointing, but I understand.”
His wife, also slated for a Friday vaccination, received a phone call postponing her vaccination for a month, said Van Pelt.
Befuddled bystanders continue to approach the terminal gate only to learn from a lone security guard that the site is closed for the day.
“Somebody tells me, my friend, come here early in the morning,” said retiree Daniel David 69, after he was sent home Friday. “So I come in early. And then I find out now they don’t have no more. I didn’t make an appointment. People told me yesterday you can come in without an appointment.”
On Thursday, New Yorkers eager for their inoculations lined the sidewalk near the Brooklyn facility only to learn the rumblings about walk-in vaccines were inaccurate. The initial roll-out of the vaccine is available to health care workers, people aged 65 or older and specific professions including police officers and teachers.
Robert Rainford, 58, a semi-retired public school teacher, said he tried to get a vaccine late Thursday night and was told to return Friday.
“But now they’re turning people away,” he said. “They’re all out of vaccines.”
The mayor’s office issued a Thursday statement reiterating there was no vaccine available for anyone without an appointment.
“This was misinformation and the notification did not come from the NYC gov,” said spokesman Bill Neidhart. “We are sending people to Brooklyn Army Terminal to ask people in line to return home if they don’t have appointments.”
