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New #VaxForKids sites announced

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Wed, Feb 23rd 2022 03:05 pm

Parents and guardians can learn more here; includes resources for organizations hosting #VaxForKids events; full list of sites here

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced 39 new #VaxForKids pop-up sites to increase vaccination rates among children and adolescents. Hochul and the state's Department of Health continue to urge parents and guardians to ensure their children get fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible.

"Our #VaxForKids program and other community-based vaccination efforts have been enormously successful and, as a result, New York state continues to lead the way on vaccinations, including for young New Yorkers," Hochul said. "I want to thank all of our partners and the parents, guardians and kids who stepped up to get vaccinated. This effort has made our communities, our schools and our families safer."

The state launched the #VaxForKids campaign to increase vaccination rates among New York children ages 5-11 and provide booster doses for eligible adolescents 12-17. On Jan. 19, Hochul announced 80 sites would take place over a six-week period. At the conclusion of the six weeks, 261 sites have been established. Events have been hosted in 32 counties, 72 schools and 105 ZIP codes, spanning every region of the state.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "The Department of Health, along with our community-based partners, established 261 #VaxForKids sites in just six weeks – reaching every corner of the state. These sites are conveniently located at schools, family destinations, and trusted community spaces like public libraries and fire departments – helping more parents and guardians confidently make the decision to get their children vaccinated. Parents and guardians: Make sure your kids are vaccinated and up to date with all recommended doses. Kids can catch COVID-19 and develop severe disease, and vaccination remains their best protection against the virus and its variants."

A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians may have. Operational days for each of the #VaxForKids pop-up sites are below. The full list of #VaxForKids sites is available here.

•Niagara County Public Safety Training Facility

5574 Niagara Street Ext., Lockport

Open: Thursday, Feb. 24; 2-6 p.m.

Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen/J&J, seasonal flu

To register: Pfizer first dose (ages 5-plus) here; Pfizer second dose (5-plus) here; Moderna first dose (18-plus) here; Moderna second dose (18-plus) here; booster dose (12-plus), J&J, Moderna & Pfizer here; seasonal flu (5-plus) here

Event partner: Niagara County Health Department

Ages: 5-plus

•Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion

1100 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo

Open: Saturday, Feb. 26; 1-5 p.m.

Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna

To register: www.erie.gov/vax

Event partner: Erie County Department of Health

Ages: 5-plus

•North Tonawanda High School

Alumni Student Activity Center, 405 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda

Open: Wednesday, March 2; 3-7 p.m.

Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen/J&J, seasonal flu

To register: Pfizer first dose (ages 5-plus) here; Pfizer second dose (5-plus) here; Moderna first dose (18-plus) here; Moderna second dose (18-plus) here; booster dose (12-plus), J&J, Moderna & Pfizer here; seasonal flu (5-plus) here

Event partner: Niagara County Health Department

Ages: 5-plus

Children ages 5 and older are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As of Jan. 7, adolescents ages 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 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 are encouraged to visit ny.gov/VaxForKidsny.gov/Boostersny.gov/GetTheVaxFacts, or watch the health commissioner's 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 ages 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.

Visit the Department of Health website for more information on recommended childhood and adolescent immunizations.

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