UNIONDALE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — There is now a new location distributing COVID-19 vaccines for Long Islanders struggling to find appointments.
On Tuesday, dozens of people lined up outside the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale to receive their vaccines, just hours before the site officially opened.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran helped open the site, noting that the arena is a pillar of the community.
“This is an iconic building. It's in the heart of our county, it's easy to get to and it just makes sense to do vaccine distribution here,” Curran said.
The Nassau Coliseum is now the fourth county-run vaccination site, and Curran notes that Nassau’s vaccination statistics are improving every week.
“Nassau County really is leading the way in terms of getting our residents vaccinated,” she said. “We've had about 32% of our residents get at least one dose of the vaccine and when you think about it, everyone under 18 isn't eligible and they’re even included in that. So, 32% have got at least one dose. Statewide, I can tell you that number is a few points lower, so we are doing really, really well here.”
Right now, in New York State, those 50 years of age and older are eligible to receive the vaccine but, Curran says she hopes the state opens up eligibility to even more groups of people.
“Seniors are the most vulnerable,” the county executive said. “It is really important they get appointments, but I do believe as supply opens up, opening up eligibility make sense as well.”
Curran also said that while vaccine demand is still greater than the supply, production has ramped up and they expect more shots very soon.
“I feel like the deluge is gonna open,” she said. “We're getting really good reports from the state and from the federal government about more coming down but, it's important we have the infrastructure in place, that we're not overwhelmed with the supply that we have a place to funnel it right in and get it into the arms.”
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