More than 94 percent of Nassau County adults receive at least one vaccine dose

Robert Pelaez
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran introduced a #VaxToSchool program on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the county executive's office)

More than 94 percent of Nassau County adults received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of Wednesday, according to the state’s Health Department.

Nassau became the first county in New York to reach the 94 percent milestone, and County Executive Laura Curran lauded residents for their efforts to combat the virus as concerns about the delta variant linger.

“As County Executive, I want to commend our residents for doing the right thing and continuing to lead the way,” Curran said in a statement. “I’m proud that Nassau County has become a national model for vaccination, and we will remain committed to building on our incredible progress.”

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. 

“While we have made historic progress, the vaccine is our pathway to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and keep our County, including our schools and businesses, open,” Curran said. “That is why we are joining New York State in their #VaxToSchool program to continue encouraging eligible young people to roll up their sleeves with special incentives at these upcoming pop-up events.”

Upcoming events where youth residents are able to attend are Oct. 21 and 28 from 8 a.m. to  8 p.m. at Kennedy Park in Hempstead and Oct. 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 1 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park. A one-day pop-up event will also take place at Roosevelt homecoming on Oct. 23 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Northwell Health recently terminated 1,400 unvaccinated employees that were not compliant with state guidance handed down by Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

Employees at nursing homes and hospitals were required to receive at least their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine by midnight on Oct 11, according to an Aug. 16 order by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Employees at hospices, home care centers and adult care facilities were required to get at least their first dose by Oct. 7.

In a statement to Blank Slate Media, the organization said:  “Northwell regrets losing any employee under such circumstances, but as health care professionals and members of the largest health care provider in the state, we understand our unique responsibility to protect the health of our patients and each other.”We owe it to our staff, our patients and the communities we serve to be 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19.”

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 73.4 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 75.8 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, 95.1 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 92.6 percent in Roslyn, 88 percent in Albertson, 87.8 percent in New Hyde Park’s 11040 ZIP code, 86.7 percent in Mineola, 86.4 percent in Port Washington, 85.9 percent in Great Neck’s 11021 ZIP code. 85.7 percent in Williston Park, 85.4 percent in Roslyn Heights, 81.4 percent in Manhasset and 78.9 percent in Floral Park.

In total, the 13 North Shore ZIP codes average a 86.7 percent vaccination rate. Without the 23.1 percent figure in the 11042 ZIP code, the average for the remaining 12 ZIP codes increases to 91.9 percent.

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