NYC Could Run Out Of Coronavirus Vaccine This Week, Mayor Warns

NEW YORK CITY — More COVID-19 vaccine shots are going into more New Yorkers’ arms at more places than any time since doses first arrived. There’s only one problem: New York City could run out of vaccines this week.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday warned that the city’s cache of vaccines may not be enough to keep up with supply.

The federal government and manufacturers need to step up and send more to the city, he said.

“I confirmed with our health care team yesterday that even with the normal supplies that we expect to have delivered next week that we will run out of vaccine at some point next week, unless we get a major new resupply,” he said.

We could run out of #COVID19 vaccines by the end of next week if we don’t get a major shipment IMMEDIATELY.

The Federal government needs to STOP holding back supplies.

RELEASE as many doses as possible so that we can finally get out of this crisis. https://t.co/TUYxM7BgaD
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) January 13, 2021

New York City’s vaccination rollout appears to be picking up steam after a sluggish start.

Roughly 268,000 shots went into New Yorkers’ arms so far out of about 794,000 doses delivered, according to the city’s latest vaccination data Wednesday.

De Blasio said the city is on pace to distribute 175,000 this week and hit its goal of 1 million total shots this month.

“We won't be able to meet those goals if we don't have the vaccine,” he said.

The need is likely to grow after state officials opened up vaccine eligibility to New Yorkers 65 and over, teachers and certain types of essential workers this week. The city has expanded vaccination sites and appointments — so far, the only way to get a vaccine — keep getting booked.

De Blasio called on the federal government to release its stockpile of vaccines being reserved for second doses.

“We can use them right now,” he said. “The same dose could be used for a first dose or a second dose, it doesn’t matter. But holding back vaccine, when we have tens of thousands of New Yorkers ready to be vaccinated right now makes no sense at all.”

Eligible New Yorkers can book appointments at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC.