The following email was sent on Jan. 5 to UFT-represented registered nurses at NYU Langone Hospital — Brooklyn from UFT Vice President for Non-DOE Members Anne Goldman.

Earlier today I joined a number of our colleagues, including some elected UFT delegates, at NYU Langone Hospital — Brooklyn to receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 

While many of you have received the vaccine, I know some of you are still undecided. Recent events, including the current spike in coronavirus cases and Gov. Cuomo's directive that hospitals must administer vaccines within a week of getting them or face reprisal, have highlighted the importance of making the decision now on whether or not to get this vaccine. 

The hospital has a supply of the vaccine this week to give to any registered nurse who chooses to get it. In these uncertain times, it’s difficult to know what will happen from week to week, including whether the hospital will continue to have a supply.   

If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, contact your manager during your next shift to arrange appropriate release time.

If you have questions about vaccination, you can find more information on the CDC's vaccination information website or in NYU Langone Hospital's COVID-19 vaccination guide.