Nassau To Call Vaccine Recipients To Make Second Dose Appointment

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Addressing concerns from residents who have already received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Nassau County said it will reach out to them to schedule appointments for their second dose.

Both of the two vaccines that are currently available require two doses — 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 for the Moderna. It's important for people to receive both doses in order for the vaccine to be effective. But people who received their first dose in recent days at Nassau County vaccination sites were claiming they were unable to schedule their second dose.

Nassau County is currently operating two vaccine distribution sites: one at Nassau Community College in Garden City and another at the Yes We Can Community Center in Westbury. The two sites, which have been in operation for about two weeks, can inoculate about 800 people day. Those are in addition to the state-run site at Jones Beach and vaccine distribution at hospitals, which is being overseen by Northwell Health.

"While there has been some confusion surrounding the process to receive appointments for second doses, be assured that Nassau County will be contacting each individual with the date of their second dose approximately one week prior to their scheduled appointment," Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said in a statement. "The second doses will be administered within the appropriate time frame. All applicable residents should be on alert for a phone call or email from Nassau County with the scheduling information."

People who received their first dose said they were told by people at the vaccine distribution centers to make an appointment for the second dose online. But when they went to do so, they were unable. It led many to wonder how they would receive the required second dose.

Residents will receive the second dose of their vaccine at the same place the first was administered, county officials said.

According to officials, the county's IT department is working to create a more comprehensive system to more easily book second appointments for vaccinations. Until then, officials said that the county has the contact information of all recipients of the first dose, and will be reaching out to them to make sure they schedule their second-dose appointments.