Nassau County Launches Program To Vaccinate Veterans

EAST MEADOW, NY — Nassau County officially launched its partnership with Nassau University Medical Center to provide coronavirus vaccines to eligible veterans in the county.

Eligible veterans can receive the vaccine at the VA hospital in Northport, but the trip can be difficult for the thousands of elderly veterans who live in Nassau. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said the centrally located NUMC, which is on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, could be a better alternative for veterans looking to be inoculated.

"Nassau County, as we know, is home to close to 50,000 veterans," Curran said. "We know that the virus is still out there. Wo protecting our veterans from this deadly disease is the least we can do to thank those who valiantly protected our freedoms here in America."

Veterans who are currently eligible for the vaccine under New York state guidelines can register to receive the shot at NUMC. Because many of those who are eligible are elderly and may not have access to a computer, they can schedule an appointment by calling the county's Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-6565. Vaccines will also be available to veterans' family members, provided they also meet the state eligibility requirements.

The vaccine program for veterans is a partnership between NUMC and the county's Veterans Service Agency, which is housed on the NUMC campus. Today, the first full day of the program, Curran said officials were hoping to vaccinate 300 veterans.

The vaccines that are being provided come from the county's supply, Curran said, which is growing all the time as more vaccine becomes available. The shots are being administered by NUMC staff.