#VaxtoSchool pop-up at NCCC

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced 14 new #VaxtoSchool pop-up vaccination sites to increase vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers.

On Sept. 21, she announced a total of 120 sites will take place over a 12-week period statewide and, to date, 146 sites have been set up. The Department of Health continues to work with local county health departments, community-based organizations, and health care centers to support the establishment of these sites in all regions of the state. Partners, host sites and outreach efforts are tailored to the communities they are built to serve. New locations are established on a rolling basis in partnership with localities.

"In just seven weeks, 146 #VaxtoSchool sites in all corners of the state have helped more school-aged New Yorkers and their families get vaccinated," Hochul said. "Taking a community-centered approach and working in collaboration with partners on the ground, we are continuing to increase vaccination rates among New York's adolescents – keeping New York's schools open, healthy and safe. To New York's parents and guardians: Help make sure your child is vaccinated – it is and remains their best protection against the virus."

A pop-up site is set for Orleans-Niagara BOCES Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, 3181 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn. It runs from 3-7 p.m. Thursday.

Vaccines offered include Pfizer-BioNTech (first, booster), Janssen/J&J (single, booster) and Moderna (booster). To register, visit:

Pfizer-BioNTech, first dose for ages 12 and up: https://on.ny.gov/3CmSfej  

Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose for ages 18 and up: https://on.ny.gov/3zLD1NW

Janssen/J&J single dose for ages 18 and up: https://on.ny.gov/3tFoyBH

Janssen/J&J booster dose for ages 18 and up: https://on.ny.gov/3GncJGg

Moderna booster for ages 18 and up: https://on.ny.gov/3pxRdsr

Niagara County is the event partner. Regal and Tops gift cards are the incentive.

A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers may have.

As of Nov. 1, 64.2% of 12 to 15-year-olds and 73.6% of 16- to 25-year-olds have received at least one vaccine dose.

The full list of #VaxtoSchool sites is available here and will be updated weekly over the 12-week period to include new sites when they are announced. New locations are established on a rolling-basis, and more sites are announced each week over the 12-week period.

Children aged 12 to 17 can take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is available under emergency use authorization for children ages 12 to 15 and is fully approved for those age 16 and older. The other COVID-19 vaccines are not yet authorized or approved for this age group. Parents an guardians of a school-aged New Yorker can also visit vaccines.gov, text a ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a vaccine location nearby.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and school-aged children, New Yorkers can visit our dedicated website ny.gov/vaxtoschool or follow @VaccinateNY on Instagram.

Parents are encouraged to make sure their child is up to date on all recommended and required vaccinations. Visit the Department of Health website for more information on recommended childhood and adolescent immunizations.

Hochul on CDC Recommendation of Pfizer Vaccine for 5-11-Year-Olds

Hochul also commented Tuesday on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of a Pfizer vaccine for 5-11-year-olds.

"Tonight's announcement is an important step in fighting this pandemic. New York State's clinical advisory task force unanimously agreed with the CDC. Next, the New York State Department of Health will issue guidance to the public.

"I encourage parents to reach out to their pediatricians and prepare to get their children vaccinated. New York state has been making preparations for this moment, and we will waste no time to help get shots administered through all available channels so that we can protect our kids from COVID-19 and finally put an end to the pandemic."