As the United States Food and Drug Administration recommended the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to children ages 5-11, more than 95 percent of Nassau County adults had received at least one inoculation as of Friday.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, on Tuesday, announced that the adult inoculation rate is the highest throughout New York and the second-highest among large counties nationwide. The figure is also more than 15 percent higher than the 79.7-percent of adults throughout the nation that have received at least one dose.
“Our high vaccination rate is saving lives and helping spur a strong economic recovery,” Curran said. “By increasing vaccination rates among residents 12-17, Nassau will stay ahead of the virus and keep our communities safe.”
“Nassau County’s exceptionally high vaccination rate is a prime example of public health at its finest; community partners, healthcare providers, business owners, and the general public working together to make their community a safer and healthier place,” Nassau County Commissioner of Health Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein said. “That is undoubtedly something to be proud of.”
On Tuesday, an expert committee for the federal administration announced the Pfizer recommendation for 28 million eligible children 5-11 years old throughout the nation.
The next steps would be for the administration to follow through with the panel’s recommendation and have subsequent approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the panel, which had a 17-0 vote in favor of the recommendation, noted that more than 8,000 children 5-11 have been hospitalized with the coronavirus, with nearly 100 dying from it. The vaccination dosage, according to health officials, would be given to children under 12 at one-third strength to hopefully decrease the risk of side effects to the heart.
Efforts have been made locally to increase the number of children and teens already eligible to receive the vaccine. Earlier in October, Curran, in partnership with Northwell Health, introduced the #VaxToSchool program, which incentivizes residents age 12 to 17 to receive the vaccine. Rewards such as Amazon gift cards, movie tickets and more will be offered to eligible participants after each shot they receive.
The state Health Department, which breaks down vaccination rates by ZIP code, found that on the North Shore the 11042 ZIP code of New Hyde Park continues to have the lowest rate at 23.5 percent of people vaccinated. That area, however, consists primarily of businesses south of Northern State Parkway and along Marcus Avenue.
The next lowest vaccination rate on the North Shore is the 74.9 percent in the 11024 ZIP code of the Great Neck peninsula, which includes the Village of Kings Point.
The next lowest one is also in Great Neck, with the 11023 ZIP code at a 77.2 percent rate, according to the figures. This area incorporates parts of the villages of Great Neck and Saddle Rock, along with Great Neck Gardens and Harbor Hills.
The third-highest vaccination rate in the county, 96.6 percent, is on the Great Neck peninsula, the 11020 ZIP code, consisting primarily of the Village of Lake Success and University Gardens. Some of this area is also made up of Great Neck South Middle and High School, North Shore Hebrew Academy and the Fresh Meadow Country Club.
The statistics also show vaccination rates of 94.4 percent in Roslyn, 89.1 percent in Albertson, 89 percent in New Hyde Park’s 11040 ZIP code, 88.1 percent in Port Washington, 88 percent in Mineola, 87.1 percent in Great Neck’s 11021 ZIP code. 86.8 percent in Williston Park, 86.7 percent in Roslyn Heights, 82.7 percent in Manhasset and 80 percent in Floral Park.
In total, the 13 North Shore ZIP codes average an 88 percent vaccination rate. Without the 23.5 percent figure in the 11042 ZIP code, the average for the remaining 12 ZIP codes increases to 93.4 percent.
