Suffolk County, New York – New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Wheatley Heights) and Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) are joining forces to host an online forum pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine this Thursday, April 29th at 7PM. All are invited to this free event which will focus on efforts to increase vaccine access, addressing concerns of those who may be hesitant to get vaccinated and everyone’s collective role in fighting and defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. Those attending will get the opportunity to hear from elected officials, medical experts, young adults, business owners and community leaders about their firsthand experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine.

The event is being sponsored by Fidelis Care, the Suffolk County Office of Minority Health, Soter Technologies and the Town of Babylon and will feature a question-and-answer session with Dr. Gregson Pigott – Suffolk County Health Commissioner, Dr. Jedan Phillips – Associate Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Dr. Camile Gooden – Department of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine and Derek Peterson – CEO of Soter Technologies.

“The vaccine is the single-biggest tool we have in our fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all, and I am thankful that our residents will get to hear from some of the leading experts in our region on this important topic,” said Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre. “I encourage anyone who has questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to attend this forum and look forward to working with all of our community leaders to continue our vaccination efforts across Long Island.”

“It is understandable that some people in our communities may be uncertain about COVID-19 vaccination. We want to hear your concerns,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services. “What we are finding is that the vaccine has been extraordinarily effective in reducing hospitalizations and it has few side effects when compared with COVID-19 disease, which has caused long-term side-effects and claimed far too many lives.”

The event will be live-streamed on the Town of Babylon Facebook page at www.facebook.com/babylontown.ny