Nassau County announces new traveling vaccination program

WESTBURY, Nassau County (WABC) -- Nassau County announced a new traveling vaccination program Tuesday in hopes of increasing vaccinations.

County Executive Laura Curran says the program will allow the Department of Health to travel to businesses, restaurants, shops, and more.

Employees and family members will then be able to get vaccinated for free on-site.

Restaurant staff at Café Baci in Westbury, where the county executive held the press conference, did just that, receiving the Moderna vaccine.

"I feel good, I feel good," an employee said after their vaccination.

ALSO TRENDING | Broadway theaters announce audience COVID vaccine, mask requirements

The Broadway League announced Friday that the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City will require vaccinations for audience members.

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein also took part in the vaccination event.

"We're trying to get people that for whatever reason didn't get vaccinated, aren't sure where to go, or what the procedure is," he said.

Long Island had only a .03% positivity rate for COVID a month ago, but there has been nearly a 700% spike in positivity now. That's despite the fact that Nassau County has the highest vaccination rate in the state.

"It's very frustrating," Curran said. "I hear it from everybody I speak to. I'm very frustrated myself. One thing we have going for us, though, is this vaccine."

Officials are emphasizing that the vaccine still prevents serious illness when breakthrough cases occur, but the real question is what will happen next as both New York City and New York State move towards more vaccine mandates for indoor businesses.

Curran said Nassau County is not there just yet.

"I trust business owners to make these kinds of decisions for themselves," she said.

Cafe Baci manager said Andrew Sausmer said a mandate would be tough.

"We would find it very difficult to put employees in that situation, where their job is to ask people for documentation," he said. "Putting the onus on us to do something like that would be very difficult."

Businesses that wish to take part in the vaccine program can contact 516-227-9570 for more information.

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

Submit a News Tip or Question