Announces Legislative Hearing to review Nassau Vaccine rollout
Today the Nassau County Legislative Majority demanded that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio lift the residency restriction to receive a vaccination at New York City testing sites allowing more eligible Nassau residents to receive the vaccine.
Currently, in order to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a New York City testing site you must sign up at https://vaccinepod.nyc.gov or call877-VAX-4NYC. When looking to book an appointment both online or on the phone, you must “certify under penalty of law that I live or work in NYC.” (Attached). If you do not certify you live or work in the city, the registration system informs you that you are ineligible to sign up for a vaccination appointment.
The sites run by New York State and Nassau County have no such residency restrictions.
The restriction prohibits Nassau County residents who do not work in the City from signing up to receive the vaccine at any New York City run location, when there are appointments available.
“Residents across the county are having difficulty obtaining appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” Said Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello. “The fact that the city portal restricts Nassau residents from receiving the vaccine in New York City is unacceptable, especially when both Nassau County and New York State allow New York City residents to be able to freely sign up to get the vaccine at the sites they run. The Majority demands that Mayor de Blasio lift these unfair restrictions to allow more eligible Nassau County residents to receive the vaccine.”
Presiding Officer Nicolello continued, “Throughout the pandemic residents from New York City have sought and received treatment at Nassau’s fine hospitals, as they should. The medical community’s obligation to treat patients knows no boundaries. We have all been pulling together to fight this pandemic until now.”
“The vaccination roll out in Nassau County has been nothing short of a disaster, ”Legislator John Ferretti (R, Levittown) said. “If the County Executive will not stand up for the residents of this county, the Majority will. As Nassau seniors, veterans, and those who are gravely sick continue to struggle, we need a leader who will fight like hell to make sure that everyone who wants a vaccine gets one, not one that allows us to get taken advantage of by the Mayor of New York City.”
“It seems that Long Island is at a major disadvantage when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” Said Williston Park Resident Paul Pisano. “If you are a Senior over 65 and do not live or work in New York City, you cannot make an appointment in the 5 boroughs. Vaccines need to be distributed fairly within the State and be made available to all State residents.”
Legislators will hold a hearing to review the vaccine rollout in Nassau county, and address residents' questions, comments and concerns next Thursday, February 4th at 10 am.
While the hearing will be closed to the public due to COVID-19, it can be streamed on the legislature's website. Questions, comments, and concerns can be submitted by emailing the Clerk of the Legislature at LegPublicComment@nassaucountyny.gov. All public comments submitted will be made a part of the official record.