The Nepperhan Community Center is trying to educate young people about the safety and effectiveness of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

It's an effort that experts say needs to be done everywhere.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is hopeful New York can fully reopen by July 1. There is just one big problem standing in the way: not enough young people are getting vaccinated.

Gov. Cuomo says 72% of New Yorkers 75 and older have gotten vaccinated, but only 34% of 16- to 25-year-olds have.

Officials say that will stand in the way of reaching herd immunity and increase the chance of a new, more dangerous variant spreading.

That's why the Nepperhan Community Center is talking to children and young adults about why they aren't getting vaccinated and trying to ease the concerns they have.

They are also considering applying for grants to pay them to go get a shot.

"It's that important to us that they get it so - as I said to the young people about, you know, what price is your life worth - spending a few dollars to make sure that a young person gets vaccinated, to me, is a good investment," says Jim Bostic, of the Nepperhan Community Center.

Lee