The COVID-19 infection rate in both Nassau and Suffolk counties is creeping up.

In Nassau, the infection rate is up to 6.15%.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran also announced a new rental assistance program.

The $6 million project will help up to 900 renters in the county, providing up to $2,500 a month for three months. However, you must meet certain requirements to be eligible. Applications for the program open Jan. 6.

Meanwhile, the infection rate in Suffolk County is sitting at 6.2%.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and county health experts kicked off a public awareness campaign to educate residents on the importance of receiving the shots.    

The "Take Your Shot" initiative is a multimedia campaign to encourage residents to get the vaccine when it's their turn. Bellone, the Suffolk health commissioner and other officials say the vaccines are safe and it's important to get vaccinated so life can return to normal.

Suffolk Community College's campuses in Brentwood, Selden and Riverhead will be distribution sites for the vaccine.

"We're also going to be collaborating with a number of outside community organizations and stakeholders to reach targeted communities, especially and including communities of color who have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic," says Bellone.

Bellone says about 75% of the population needs to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity, which equates to more than 850,000 people in Suffolk.