The state is relaunching its pop-up vaccination program with a focus on young people.
Governor Kathy Hochul says that under the VAX to School program, 120 pop-up vaccine sites will appear across New York over the next 12 weeks. The effort emphasizes getting children vaccinated.
“It’s safe and it’s smart, and you will not regret it,” Hochul said.
According to federal data, about 40% of children between the ages of 12 and 15 are vaccinated.
“It’s like putting your kids in a car on a busy highway with no seat belt, a young, inexperienced driver and putting them out there and saying, ‘Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine,’” Hochul said.
Specific sites have yet to be named. The state Department of Health will partner with communities and health care centers to determine which regions will host the sites.
When the sites are selected, there will be two events per week.
Each site will have a local medical professional available to answer questions.
Additionally, the campaign will have vaccination vans parked at parks and other public places.
The state also is publishing a website dedicated to answering questions that parents with school-aged children may have.
