More #VaxForKids events headed to Niagara County

New sites announced weekly to support state's vaccination goals for children 5 years and older

√ 193 sites established to date; program will run over a 6-week period; full list of sites updated weekly here

√ Parents & guardians can learn more here; includes resources for organizations hosting #VaxForKids events

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced 63 new #VaxForKids pop-up vaccination sites to increase vaccination rates among children and adolescents. The new sites support the state's goal of ensuring New York children 5 years and older get vaccinated and keep up with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including the booster. The State Department of Health is working with localities, community-based organizations, and health care centers to establish these sites in all regions of the state. Partners, host sites and outreach efforts are intended to be tailored to best meet the needs of the communities they serve.

"Over 1.6 million children have received the COVID-19 vaccine – and they are better protected because of it," Hochul said. "But our work to ensure all eligible kids get vaccinated continues, with 193 #VaxForKids pop-up sites established to date. This week, 63 new pop-ups are coming online to bring the vaccine directly to communities across New York state. I urge every parent and guardian to make sure their child is vaccinated and up-to-date with all recommended vaccine doses."

In Niagara County, #VaxForKids events are scheduled for:

•Niagara University’s Lower Level Gallagher Center, at 5795 Lewiston Road.

• Open: Friday, Feb. 11, from noon to 4 p.m.
• Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen/J&J, Moderna
• To register: ages 5-plus first dose here; 5+-plus second dose here; 12-plus booster dose here; seasonal flu here; 18-plus Moderna first dose here, second dose here; 18-plus Janssen/J&J here
• Event partner: Niagara County Department of Health

•Orleans-Niagara BOCES Niagara Career & Technical Educational Center, at 3181 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn

• Open: Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 3-7 p.m.
• Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen/J&J and Moderna
• To register: 5-plus first dose here; 5-plus second dose here; 12-plus booster dose here; Janssen/J&J 18-plus here; 18-plus Moderna first dose here; 18-plus Moderna second dose here; seasonal flu here
• Event partner: Niagara County Department of Health

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

The full list of #VaxForKids sites is available here.

Children ages 5 and older are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As of Jan. 7, adolescents 12 and older are eligible for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least five months after completing their initial vaccine series. Additionally, children ages 5-11 with certain immunocompromising conditions are now eligible for an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 28 days after completing their initial vaccine series. Pediatric providers, parents and guardians can visit ny.gov/VaxForKids, ny.gov/Boosters, ny.gov/GetTheVaxFacts, or watch the health commissioner's new PSA here.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and widely available statewide, including at over 2,000 locations administering the vaccine for children. All state mass-vaccination sites are administering the vaccine for children 5 years and older, boosters for New Yorkers 12 years and older, and additional doses for immunocompromised children 5 years and older. In addition to the state's pop-up and mass-vaccination sites, New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. Parents and guardians can also contact their child's pediatrician, family physician, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health centers, or pharmacies that may be administering the vaccine to this age group.

The state launched the #VaxForKidscampaign to increase vaccination rates among New York children and provide booster doses for eligible adolescents. To date, over 1.6 million children 5-17 have been vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Feb. 7, 37.4% of children 5-11 and 75.7% of adolescents 12-17 have received at least one dose, and 29.6% of children 5-11 and 67.9% of adolescents 12-17 have completed their initial vaccine series.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "In partnership with trusted organizations on the ground, our #VaxForKids program is rolling out 63 new sites this week. Parents and guardians, please visit one of our new sites to get your child vaccinated or boosted. These sites are conveniently located at schools, community centers, and destinations like farmer's markets to make getting vaccinated safe, convenient and accessible. Getting vaccinated means you and your family can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you have the best protection against COVID-19 possible."