Here's How Many First Coronavirus Vaccines Are Coming To LI, NYC

NEW YORK, NY — Should the coronavirus vaccine receive federal approval, downstate New York is expected to receive over 100,000 doses, including nearly 27,000 on Long Island, more than 19,000 in the Hudson Valley and 72,000 in New York City.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday outlined how — and when — vaccines could arrive and be distributed throughout New York. As Patch previously reported, the state expects to receive 170,000 doses. Cuomo said those doses could arrive as soon as this weekend, with further allocations arriving in the following weeks. A state panel will swiftly review the vaccines and decide whether to approve them.

If approved, the state will prioritize vaccinating nursing home residents and staff first, followed by high-risk hospital workers. Hospitals will select staff members to receive the first doses. Once they're vaccinated, other staffers such as emergency room workers, intensive care staff, and pulmonary staff would be next in line.

By the end of the second week, Cuomo said the state expects all high-risk staff will receive a vaccination. After all high-risk health care workers are vaccinated, long-term and congregate care staff and residents will be prioritized, followed by EMS and other health care workers, and then essential workers and the general population, starting with people who are most at risk.

Additionally, New York opted into a federal program where CVS and Walgreens workers will administer vaccinations to nursing homes. Cuomo expects deliveries for the program to begin next week and the federal government expects the program will begin by Dec. 21.