Vaccine Information

LATEST NEWS (3/29/21):

New York State has announced that eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines has opened up for individuals age 30 and over, starting Tuesday, March 30 and for those age 16 and over, beginningTuesday, April 6. See the Governor’s announcement here .

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Vaccine supply, eligibility and appointment availability continue to open up in New York State. We strongly encourage everyone eligible to get their vaccines.

If you haven't been vaccinated yet, please regularly visit the 'I Am Eligible' New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) website for available appointments at locations across the State. That includes the newly opened point of distribution (POD) site at our Stony Brook Southampton campus. You can find more complete information on vaccines - including the most up to date eligibility categories - here. For up-to-date Stony Brook-related information, visit the Stony Brook Medicine Information About Coronavirus web page.

We have administered more than 100,000 vaccines right here at Stony Brook and will continue to keep you informed as opportunities to be vaccinated - on campus or off - present themselves.

Please remember that the NYSDOH is the sole authority for determining vaccine eligibility, making appointments and providing us with supplies they receive from the federal government. Demand often exceeds supply and we often receive vaccine allocations with little advance notice.

We all look forward to the time when more employees and students are eligible to receive the vaccine and we appreciate your patience and support. In the meantime, we will continue to keep you informed as guidelines and requirements evolve in this rapidly changing environment. Please help us keep our community safe and well by continuing to follow all the safety precautions that have kept our campus open for in-person learning, such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing. Until further notice, this applies even after you've had a vaccine.

See why it's so important - and safe - to get your vaccine. View three short PSAs with Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Stony Brook Children's Hospital here.

Vaccine updates

Update - Vaccines, spring/summer safety guidance for students and all ( March 25, 2021)
HR Provides Information on COVID-19 Vaccination Leave ( March 25, 2021)
Stony Brook Southampton Opens as State Vaccination Site ( March 19, 2021)
Update - Expanded vaccine eligibility, new vaccine locations and continuing safety protocols ( March 11, 2021)
Update - Vaccines, in-person learning, return to work reminders and expanded pool testing ( February 25, 2021)
Update - COVID testing reminders/updates and expanded vaccine eligibility ( February 12, 2021)
Update - Testing, screening, vaccines and safe celebration guidelines ( February 4, 2021)
Special Update - Appointments Available at NYSDOH Community Vaccination Pod at Innovation and Discovery Center ( January 29, 2021 )
SBU Hospital Among Highest Performing Vaccine Distribution Sites in New York ( January 20, 2021 )
Update - Latest vaccine information, Spring 2021 student information, SBM news ( January 15, 2021 )
HR Update for Faculty and Staff: Age Requirement Change and New SBU Point of Distribution for Vaccine ( January 13, 2021 )
Faculty and Staff Vaccination Eligibility and Distribution Update ( January 11, 2021 )
HR Issues Vaccination Update to All Faculty and Staff ( January 5, 2021 )

VACCINE FAQS

We have been administering thousands of doses of the vaccine under the Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) COVID-19 vaccination program since December 15. As situations continue to evolve, we are providing up-to-date information on changing eligibility guidelines, which you can also find here .

Following prioritization guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), vaccines were provided first to Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) healthcare personnel at high risk for transmitting or becoming infected with the virus. This included those providing direct care to, or interacting with, patients. It also included administrative and food and housekeeping services staff who have contact with patients or who handle infectious materials. These individuals were all categorized as Phase 1a in the vaccine rollout plan set by New York State.

On January 11, the State of New York announced that individuals deemed eligible for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1b could prepare to schedule their vaccination appointments as supplies became available. This next group of eligible people included a wide range of essential frontline workers, such as teachers, first responders, public safety and mass transit workers, as well as New Yorkers aged 75 and older (which was then expanded to 65, 60 and 50 years and older as time went on, all the way down to 30, then 16 years old, as of March 30 and April 6, respectively).

We were excited that Phase 1b also included college instructors of in-person classes and student teachers in K through 12 placements. In both cases, eligible individuals are required to attest and provide proof that they are teaching an in-person class, and we have a process to identify and provide documentation for Stony Brook University professionals who meet this requirement. Subsequently, the eligibility category expanded even more to include any in-person staff.

Vaccine supply continues to be limited, with demand for vaccinations exceeding the current supply – which is allocated by the State and provided by the federal government. However, we try to make eligible individuals aware of vaccine opportunities (often on short notice) as soon as they present themselves, and are endeavoring to vaccinate as many people as possible, based on eligibility guidelines, distribution protocols and supply availability from the State.
While Stony Brook University is administering vaccines, it's the NYSDOH that is responsible for providing guidance on eligibility, scheduling appointments and providing us with our supplies. These are the sites to visit to determine your eligibility, set up an appointment and get answers to your vaccination questions:

NYSDOH Eligibility website

NYSDOH ‘What You Need to Know’ web page

ny.gov/vaccine (to sign up for an appointment)
On January 18, Stony Brook University was designated as a New York State point of distribution (POD) site where the COVID-19 vaccine is being administered to those eligible to receive it. The POD is located in the R&D Park on Stony Brook Road, operating from 8 am to 7 pm, seven days a week, and has administered more than 100,000 vaccines. On March 19, our Southampton campus became another NYS-run POD site. T he vaccination site is located in the gymnasium, and is open from 8 am to 6:30 pm. Stony Brook Southampton is located at 70 Tuckahoe Road, directly across from the Southampton Long Island Rail Road station.
Yes. In addition to allocations for our Stony Brook University Hospital professionals, Stony Brook Medicine also received a vaccine allocation early on to be administered to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, medical examiners and coroners; funeral workers who have direct contact with infectious material and bodily fluids; and healthcare or other high-risk direct care essential staff working in long-term, congregate settings overseen by state agencies - including the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health and Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services - as well as residents of those communities.
As of March 30, all New York State residents age 30 and over are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and as of April 6, all NYS residents age 16 and over are eligible. That means students are now eligible and, based on availability and distribution guidelines from NYS, we urge all students to try to schedule their vaccines as soon as possible and regularly visit New York State's COVID vaccination page to check availability at NYS vaccination sites and schedule an appointment.
While NYS has opened up eligibility to individuals age 30 and over as of March 30 and age 16 and over April 6, administration of vaccines continues to depend on NYS availability and distribution guidelines, as well as supplies from the State, so we can't provide a definitive timeframe.
It’s important to know that vaccination does not provide instant immunity. Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines we provide require two doses administered weeks apart — three weeks for Pfizer and four weeks for Moderna. Depending on the vaccine, it can take a total of four to six weeks from initial dosing to achieve immunity and protection levels comparable to those in clinical trials. During this time, it is still possible to become infected with COVID-19. In the future, we will also be offering Johnson & Johnson one-dose shots.
No. The recently authorized vaccines being used will not cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. The goal of vaccination is for your body to develop an immune response. This means that there IS a possibility of testing positive on some antibody tests ,which are tests to indicate that you had a previous infection and have some level of protection against the virus. This is currently being studied.
Yes . Because the vaccine may not give you 100% protection AND because it will not affect your results, you should continue to participate in surveillance testing or get tested for possible infection if you develop symptoms.
Yes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have had COVID-19 as long as you have recovered as defined by meeting the criteria for discontinuation from isolation (at least 10 days with improving symptoms and fever free for 72 hours). However, if there are shortages of vaccines, you may defer vaccination for up to 90 days from the time of infection.

Source: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations webpage
Yes, but you need to wait until at least 90 days have passed.

Source: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations webpage
Yes. As long as you have recovered and meet the criteria for discontinuation from isolation you can receive the second dose when it is due. If you are not recovered when it is time for your second dose and do not yet meet the criteria for discontinuation of isolation, defer the second dose until after you complete your isolation period.

Source: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations webpage
No. You need to wait until you meet the requirements to discontinue quarantine before you can get vaccinated. For ther latest guidance and requirements, please visit the NYS Travel Advisory web page.

Source: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations webpage
No. It is not possible for you to select which product you receive, as our supplies are provided, and determined, by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
Even after being vaccinated, you must continue to practice hand hygiene, wear a face mask or covering when not in your home or alone in your office, wear the PPE appropriate to your work assignment and socially distance. While the vaccines have proven to be highly effective, these simple steps will help better ensure we continue to contain the spread of the virus and are in keeping with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and NYS Department of Health (DOH) current guidelines, until advised otherwise .
See what SBUH Dr. Sharon Nachtman, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, has to say about the safety and efficacy of both vaccines in this short video:
In addition to ongoing updates we will provide, your best resources are the following:

NYSDOH ‘What You Need to Know’ web page

Stony Brook Medicine Information About Coronavirus web page

You can also contact the Health Information Line at 631-632-5000 with any individual questions or concerns you may have. Please also regularly visit the 'I Am Eligible' New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) website for available vaccine appointments at locations across the State.