New York State Vaccinates More Than 2.1 Million, Federal Government to Increase Vaccine Supply by 20%

    Both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have repeated for weeks that both the city and the state are ready, willing, and able to vaccinate many more New Yorkers, if only the federal government would provide a greater supply of the vaccine.

    “It is all about supply, supply, supply,” the mayor has said often, as he touts the state’s ability to get shots in arms as soon as more vaccines are delivered.

     Although President Joe Biden’s administration has responded in kind and has increased its weekly supply of the vaccine by more than 20% over the next three weeks, New York’s 7 million residents who are now eligible to get vaccinated far exceed the supply that the federal government can provide.

     Although Gov. Cuomo keeps expanding the list of adult New Yorkers of any age who qualify for the vaccine, the governor also acknowledges a supply problem.

     As of Feb. 15, Gov. Cuomo expanded the 1B category of who have the following conditions: Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Pulmonary Disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down Syndrome, and heart conditions.

     Also eligible are adult New Yorkers who are in immunocompromised states, are severely obese, pregnant, have Sickle Cell Disease, Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, Cerebrovascular disease, neurological conditions, and Liver Disease.

     “Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without appointments,” Gov. Cuomo said. "We have the operational capacity to do much more and the only limiting factor is lack of supply,” said Gov. Cuomo.  "Our singular focus right now is getting vaccines into arms and the daily numbers continue to demonstrate we are doing that job quickly and effectively, as we have administered over 2.1 million doses so far," said Gov. Cuomo said, who added that the federal government is set to deliver its Week 9 allocation of vaccines in a few days.

(Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)