Its more important than ever to get the COVID-19 vaccine (opinion) – silive.com

Last year, New York City faced a COVID-19 outbreak unlike anything our city had seen in a century.

Thanks to the heroic work of our first responders, health care workers and other essential workers, our city was able to battle back the virus, and now, because of safe and effective vaccines, more of us are returning to a semblance of normalcy.

The fight against COVID is, in some ways, like fighting a fire. We may have calmed the worst of the inferno and delivered the 4 million vaccinated New Yorkers to safer ground. However, smoldering embers remain and those who are unvaccinated have yet to leave the hazardous scene.

Right now, the risk is particularly serious for Staten Island, where the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 is notably higher than many other parts of the city. Young people are among the most at risk. According to Health Department data, 18- to 24-year-olds in Staten Island have a nearly 5% positivity compared to about 1% citywide. At the same time, vaccinations among this age group are lower than the other boroughs.

It is more important than ever to protect yourself, loved ones and communities. If you are waiting for a vaccine, sign up for that shot. If you are unvaccinated, keep following the COVID-19 public health guidance wear a face covering, keep your social distance, wash hands, and stay home if you feel ill.

Our message is especially urgent as the new Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is spreading quickly in New York City. About half of COVID-19 cases are of the Delta variant, a proportion that has increased sharply over the last few weeks.

The science about the Delta variant continues to evolve, but we know it is more contagious than the original COVID-19 strain that devastated our city one year ago. This variant can cause serious illness, such as infections requiring hospitalization or intensive care, and some people experience side effects of COVID-19 for months after initially getting sick.

So please, get vaccinated as soon as possible. The good news is that all three vaccines available in New York City the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines offer protection.

Everyone over the age of 12 is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, and getting the shot has never been easier.

The vaccines are available in Staten Island at pharmacies, hospitals, community clinics, mobile sites or one of many city sites. In the coming weeks, we will be expanding our grassroots efforts with vaccination vans and pop ups; partnerships with community-based organizations; canvassers going door-to-door, and work with health care providers to reach patients.

You can check nyc.gov/VaccineFinder or call 877-VAX4NYC to find a location.

And if you cant make it to a vaccination site, the city will come to you. Any New Yorker can receive an in-home vaccination by going to nyc.gov/homevaccine to fill out the request form.

New York City has made so much progress in its battle against COVID-19. The Fire Department has done its job in helping the fight: More than 8,800 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, as well as civilian employees, have been vaccinated. The FDNY has vaccinated more than 6,700 homebound seniors, as well as more than 48,000 New Yorkers at Health Department sites and the FDNY vaccination sites.

While the number of COVID-19 cases in our city may be lower than a few months ago, the risk is still high for the New Yorkers who are unvaccinated. The more of us get vaccinated, the better chance we have to put out the fire.

(Dr. Chokshi is New York Citys health commissioner; Daniel Nigro is New York Citys fire commissioner.)

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Its more important than ever to get the COVID-19 vaccine (opinion) - silive.com