While the threat of the monkeypox virus has set off alarm bells, the borough is also in the midst of the sixth wave of COVID-19 so to answer questions and concerns that parents may have about getting their children vaccinated Queens Borough President Donovan Richards will hold a virtual info session on vaccinations for children under 5 years old on Thursday, July 28, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.
More than 2.1 million Queens residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while a city-leading 86% of borough residents — nearly 1.95 million people — have completed their primary vaccine series. According to the New York State Department of Health, however, just 2.5% of Queens residents under 5 years old have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot as of July 25.
“As a father, there is nothing more important to me than my son’s safety, so I understand the uncertainty that some Queens parents are feeling when it comes to getting their young children vaccinated against COVID-19,” Richards said. “As Queens borough president, I’m proud to connect these parents with medical experts who will be able to address many of these concerns as we work to ensure as many of our children as possible are inoculated against this vicious disease, which has already claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Queens residents.”
Co-sponsored by NYC Council Committee on Health Chair Lynn Schulman and NYC Council Committee on General Welfare Chair Diana Ayala, the virtual info session will include a breakdown of the latest information on the safety, side effects and availability of the COVID-19 vaccines for young children. Leading the discussion will be NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Assistant Commissioner of Health Equity Dr. Olusimbo Ige and Dr. Hector Florimon on SOMOS Community Care.
“I encourage all parents of young children to attend our virtual info session and learn about the positive impacts of protecting them against COVID-19,” Richards said.
Members of the public who are interested in participating in the virtual info session are asked to register in advance by visiting here. Zoom links will be sent to the registrants on the day of the event.
