Gov. Cuomo Expands Number of Frontline Workers who Can Get Vaccinated, Today: Home Health Care Workers and NYPD

By Yehudit Garmaise

   Yesterday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo made eligible for the vaccine a wider variety of frontline workers, such as home healthcare worker and police officers, who can receive their shots starting today.

   “That is very good news, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “We want to make sure that all of these front line workers: folks who work directly with every day New Yorkers: folks who do things like having to provide CPR, having to work in very close proximity to others. They are going to get the opportunity to be vaccinated starting right now: today.”

    Although this morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio did not quantify how many home healthcare workers could now get their first shots, the mayor did say that 25,000 NYPD officers are now eligible to get vaccinated.

     “[The more people who eligible to get vaccinated] is further wind in our sails to get to our initial goal which is to reach 100,000 doses this week,” By the end of the month we want to be giving out 400,000 doses per week.

    “Each time we get more freedom and flexibility [from the state to be able to vaccinate more people,] it helps us to speed things up and reach those goals more effectively and reach more people who are ready, willing, and able [to get their first shots].”

   “To all the home health workers, home health aides out there, please get vaccinated right away: we are ready for you starting today. We want to make sure you get vaccinated. To all the families who benefit from the love and support of these home health workers, please let them know: Vaccinations are available through health and hospitals right now for free, safe, easy, fast, effective.

    NYPD patrol officers and officers who respond to 911 calls are among the 25,000 more New Yorkers who can get their vaccinations starting today by Correctional Health, which is run by Health + Hospitals.

    “Roughly 10,000 officers will be vaccinated by Sunday,” promised Mayor de Blasio, who pointed out that not all members of the NYPD will want to take the vaccine, but for whomever in the NYPD is “ready, willing, and able” to get vaccinated, the shot is now available.

 (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)