Selden, New York-- Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa recently joined a very special constituent, Mr. Frank Vene of Selden, a 101-year-old decorated World War II veteran at the Selden Campus of Suffolk County Community College to witness him receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Mr. Vene’s 78-year-old daughter, Laraine Kelly, also of Selden had reached out to Legislator Caracappa’s office after several unsuccessful attempts to get vaccine appointments for her father and herself, who both qualified immediately based on age. “It was so frustrating how the state kept lowering the age requirements for those who qualify when the elder population was still unable to get vaccinated,” stated Ms. Kelly. “My father and I are so grateful to Legislator Caracappa and his staff for their persistence in helping us get an appointment so quickly.”
“It is unfortunate that many of our senior population either have no computer or aren’t computer savvy, which is currently the best means of securing an appointment,” stated Legislator Caracappa. “I’ve received feedback from many constituents that using the state’s phone number for appointments usually results in long hold times, which has been a frustrating experience. When Ms. Kelly reached out to us for help, we continually monitored the County’s website to help secure appointments for both of them. It was a pleasure meeting Mr. Vene and his daughter. Helping them was a very small way to thank a true American hero for his service to our country.”
Residents who are eligible for the vaccine, and still unable to get an appointment are urged to either log on to suffolkcountyny.gov/vaccine to schedule an appointment, or call Suffolk County’s 311 Helpline or their local Legislator’s office to have their name added to the pre-registration database.
Photo captions: (top) Mr. Frank Vene receives his first vaccine dose. (bottom) left to right: Laraine Kelly and Frank Vene after their vaccinations, with Legislator Caracappa and administering nurse Daria Castrogivanni, R.N.
