‘A Shot Of Hope’: NYC Plans For 465K Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

NEW YORK CITY — A beaming Mayor Bill de Blasio lauded the coronavirus vaccine’s arrival in New York City, once the nation’s pandemic epicenter, but urged caution over the weeks and months it will take to widely distribute the vaccine.

De Blasio on Monday kicked off his daily briefing minutes after Queens critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay became the first New Yorker, perhaps the first American, to get vaccinated.

He called it a “shot of hope.”

“Today is a historic day for many reasons,” he said. “In New York City history, this will be remembered as the day where the largest mobilization ever was undertaken to protect the people of this city, the largest vaccination effort in our history.“

The mobilization will start at five New York City hospitals expected to receive the vaccine on Monday, said health Commissioner Dave Chokshi. He said shipments will arrive at 37 more hospitals on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday.

The city is planning to receive 465,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine over the next three weeks, Chokshi said. It’s clearly not enough to vaccinate all New Yorkers, so Chokshi stressed the need for New Yorkers to remain vigilant.

“While help is on the way I'd like to add one thing: we remain in a state of emergency,” he said. “If your house is on fire you don't stay among the flames waiting for the fire department to arrive, you take the steps needed to stay safe. So until every last ember is extinguished we are asking you to stay safe by masking up, staying home if you feel ill, keeping your distance, washing your hands and getting tested.”