After months of vaccine trials, COVID-19 vaccination centers for the public finally opened on Long Island.  The first center that was announced is located at Nassau Community College, and opened Tuesday, Jan. 5.   At the center, the vaccine is being distributed by Nassau County Department of Health staff members and members of Nassau’s Medical Reserve Corp, with assistance supplied by Northwell Health.  

 Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was very determined to get the center open, describing this sudden opening as “ready-set-go” in a Facebook statement.  She later encouraged all to get the vaccine under the motto of “We can do it, Nassau!” Registrations are open online currently to  frontline healthcare workers, teachers, and people over 75.

“I think that the opening of the two COVID-19 vaccination centers in Nassau will be very beneficial in helping to distribute the vaccine and will speed up the process of getting the majority vaccinated,” said junior Spencer Lane.

It’s important to note how this process works and what it’s like to get this vaccination.   Certain groups of people are prioritized in the distribution of the vaccine; the groups have been divided into two phases: 1A and 1B.   Phase 1A covers the initial group to be vaccinated, covering health care workers, nursing home residents, and nursing home staff.   Phase 1B covers the secondary-priority groups, such as teachers, police officers, firefighters, transit workers, and all Nassau county residents  over the age of 75.   These phases were instituted by New York state and every state has made its own plan to roll out the vaccine.

Since the first center was announced, other locations have been set up across Long Island.  The state created a drive-thru center at Jones Beach to handle  demand.  In addition, Northwell Health partnered with Nassau, Suffolk, and state officials to set up nine other locations.  Besides the one located at Nassau Community College, there are others located at Northwell Health Center for Advanced Medicine in Lake Success, Northwell Health Physician Partners in Syosset, Belmont Park in Elmont, the Town of North Hempstead’s Yes We Can Community Center in Westbury, Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, and Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.  To see if you’re eligible, read the information provided here: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.