NYC Hits 12M COVID Vaccine Doses

NEW YORK CITY — A milestone 12 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered in New York City.

Mayor Bill de Blasio touted the achievement Thursday — a day marked by protests and growing concern over his upcoming vaccine mandate for all municipal workers.

The mayor didn't address any controversy whipped up by the mandate until prompted by reporters — instead, he focused on the 12-million mark and anticipated federal approval to vaccinate kids from 5 to 11 years old.

“This is an unbelievable number,” he said. “Twelve million individual times someone put their arm out and a vaccinator was there to help them.”

“Again, we’re ready potentially even late next week for these vaccinations for our youngest New Yorkers to begin,” he said.

An FDA panel this week OK'd the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. Final approval is expected next week from CDC officials.

De Blasio said 24 hours after CDC approval that the vaccine will be avialable for children 5 and up at all city-run vaccination sites. He said it'll be available 48 hours following approval at pediatricians' offices, pharmacies and other types of vaccination sites.

The vaccine is an important safety step against COVID-19, which is the eighth-leading cause of death among children, Dave Chokshi, the city's health commissioner, said.

He said it's more than 90 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19.

“Children had robust immune responses to the two doses of vaccine, which are one-third of the dose currently being administered to adults and adolescence,” he said.