NYC's first public health vending machine is now open in Brooklyn
According to the city's Department for Health and Mental Hygiene and Services, the plan is for the machine to be monitored regularly, make sure it's always fully stocked and keep up with demand.
More Stories
Brooklyn officials on Monday cut the ribbon on New York City's first public health vending machine.
New Yorkers will be able to approach the vending machine, available any hour of any day, and grab items like COVID-19 tests, hygiene kits, fentanyl test strips and even medicine to help treat opioid overdoses.
According to the city's Department for Health and Mental Hygiene and Services, the plan is for the machine to be monitored regularly, making sure it's always fully stocked.
To use it, visitors just have to put in their zip code, make a choice, and get it dispensed – all for free.
Officials say projects like this have been tried in other cities around the world and in the U.S. They believe that adding one at the corner of Decatur and Broadway streets has the chance to make a real impact in the community.
City leaders say they currently have agreements to buy three more vending machines for $11,000 each, not including restocking and maintenance, which there are already contracts for.
