Nassau Holding Student Vaccination Days Next Week

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Nassau County, in partnership with the Village of Hempstead and Northwell Health, is hosting a series of vaccination days for students next week, in order to get them vaccinated for the coronavirus before school begins in September.

The vaccination days are planned for July 27 through 31 at the gym at Kennedy Memorial Park, located at 335 Greenwich St. in Hempstead. It is open to all students 12 and up, including college students. The vaccines are free, and walk-ins will be welcome.

Vaccination rates are high in Nassau County among adults. According to Curran, 81 percent of people 18 and over have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. But vaccination rates are lagging in young people, as well as in the African American and Hispanic communities, she said.

With the more-contagious delta variant of the virus spreading, the county is seeing an uptick in cases again. And nearly all of those are in unvaccinated people.

"Our message is: if you're on the fence, if you're unsure, please talk to your healthcare professional," Curran said. "Talk to someone you trust."

Coronavirus vaccines have been approved for people 12 and older. Students getting vaccinated is key to them being able to return to school in September.

"We really want our young people to have as normal a school experience as possible," said Curran.