A mass vaccination site run that will be overseen by the Chautauqua County Health Department is coming to the State University of New York at Fredonia. On Wednesday afternoon, the university announced it has entered into an agreement with the Health Department to utilize the Ice Arena complex in Steele Hall when COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

There is no timeline as of yet for the vaccinations to occur.

“SUNY Fredonia is committed to being good partners with our surrounding community,” said Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “As I have indicated, public institutions of higher education must be of, and for, the communities in which they operate to remain highly relevant. This agreement is a manifestation of the seriousness we bring to our role in this community. In these unprecedented times, collaboration is key to moving us beyond this terrible pandemic.”

With control under the county Health Department, it will be the point agency to schedule appointments and administer the vaccine. SUNY Fredonia, as the host institution, will not handle details related to appointment scheduling or administration of immunizations. SUNY Fredonia is solely serving as the host site and will provide support as needed to ensure that the site is accessible and available.

“As vaccine supply increases, sites like the SUNY Fredonia campus with large, open venues and ample parking will be necessary to accommodate the number of people we anticipate needing to vaccinate,” said Chautauqua County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler. “We are grateful for the partnership and support of SUNY Fredonia in accomplishing this monumental task.”

Information regarding vaccination clinics is shared on the Chautauqua County Health Department webpage at https://chqgov.com/public-health/covid-19-vaccine-information

SUNY Fredonia faculty, staff and students should expect to be vaccinated according to the prioritization established by the New York state Department of Health.

While SUNY Fredonia will host the county-run site, a number of other SUNY locations are New York state clinics. These include: SUNY Albany, SUNY Stony Brook University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica and the University at Buffalo South Campus at Harriman Hall.

“Over the past couple of months, our SUNY campuses and hospitals have proudly served as vaccination centers for state and county officials–providing space and resources to vaccinate more than 300,000 individuals thus far and counting,” said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras. “And with news of vaccine production ramping up for states, more SUNY campuses are raising their hands to join the effort. SUNY Fredonia is the most recent, entering into an agreement with the Chautauqua County Department of Health to serve the region. Fighting this pandemic has shown the value of partnership and pooling of resources, and SUNY will continue to offer our support at every turn.”