Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Cuomo Announces Federal Vaccine Supply to Increase to 20 Percent for the Next Three Weeks

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. As of noon today, New York’s health care distribution sites have received 1,554,450 first doses and already administered 91 percent or 1,414,241 first dose vaccinations and 76 percent of first and second doses. Delivery of the week 8 allocation from the federal government begins mid-week.

Following a call with the White House, Governor Cuomo who chairs the National Governors Association, announced that the federal supply to the states will increase to 20 percent for the next three weeks, up from the initial 16 percent bump. Private pharmacies in the state who are charged with prioritizing the 65-plus population will now receive an additional 10 percent, or about 30,000 doses, directly from the federal government to supplement the doses allocated to them by the State. Given the overall increase to the State’s supply, the Governor is granting localities the flexibility to add restaurant workers, taxi drivers, and developmentally disabled facilities to the 1B vaccine prioritization group.

“We’re in a footrace to vaccinate the entire eligible population while continuing to keep the infection rate low,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re moving heaven and earth to administer as many doses as possible, but on a global level we are experiencing high demand and scarce amounts of the vaccine. We have much more distribution in place than we have supply, and as soon as we have more doses from the federal government we can get those shots in the arms of New Yorkers as quickly and fairly, while continuing to make sure the communities hardest hit have access to and trust in the vaccine. In the meantime, I urge New Yorkers to be smart and take measures we know work to keep the infection rate low – wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance.”