After such a tumultuous year, it’s hard to believe (and of course, completely incredible) that the COVID-19 vaccine is finally here and being administered to people all over New York City.
And though doses arrived in NY on December 15, the rollout has been slower than people might have imagined.
Frontline healthcare workers were the first to start receiving the vaccine last month (a Queens nurse was even the very first person in the country to get one), but up to 30% of NYC’s healthcare population has refused to receive them. So, NYC had more vaccines available, but was unable to give them out to the next group of people because of strict state-wide stipulations from Governor Cuomo.
Mayor de Blasio had been urging the Governor to expand the eligible groups all of last week, and luckily he did end up expanding the eligible groups starting today, January 11.
Starting Monday, NYS will begin scheduling vaccinations for the next group of people (Phase 1b):
-People age 75+
-Education workers
-First responders (police, fire)
-Public transit workers
-Public safety workersSites will include pharmacies, drs' offices, Javits Center & more.
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 8, 2021
24/7 vaccine sites are up and running in Brooklyn and the Bronx today as well, which Mayor de Blasio visited this morning.
Vaccine Hubs and 24/7 Mega Vaccination Sites are now up and running across our city.
This is the turning point in our fight against COVID-19. Eligible New Yorkers can make a free vaccination appointment now:https://t.co/Ow9008UIGz#NYCVaccineForAll pic.twitter.com/oSKG1VCm8u
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 11, 2021
You must make an appointment in order to receive the vaccine — there are no “walk-ins.” To find a location and make appointments for eligible New Yorkers, visit the NYC Gov. website here.
You can also call to make an appointment at 877-VAX-4NYC.
featured image source: NYC Mayor’s Office