NYC Sets Coronavirus Vaccine Record

NEW YORK CITY — The city's massive coronavirus vaccination effort almost, but not quite, hit a long-held weekly goal of 500,000 doses going into arms.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that roughly 478,000 doses were administered last week.

The number is a record for New York City and a vindication of sorts for de Blasio, who has argued the city can dole out a half million doses a week. He has repeatedly pressed for more supply to fulfill that goal.

"Get us supply so we can fly," he said Monday.

Supply will be more needed than ever.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, hours before a news conference in which a married woman accused him of aggressively kissing her at her home, announced Monday that New Yorkers 30 and up can start getting the vaccine the following day.

He also announced that all New Yorkers 16 and up can get doses starting April 6.

But Cuomo has repeatedly stressed that many New Yorkers could have to wait to get shots, even if they're eligible.

The city has doled out 3.84 million doses since the vaccine effort started in December. De Blasio said it likely will surpass 4 million this week.

"We do expect a major boost in the federal supply soon, and that's going to allow us to get to whole new levels and move this thing forward," he said. "We are well on our way to our goal — 5 million New Yorkers fully vaccinated by June."