New York State Expects To Have Enough Coronavirus Vaccine Doses For 170,000 People This Month

Topline

New York will receive its first delivery of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by December 15 if all safety and efficacy approvals are granted and will have enough doses to vaccinate 170,000 people this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press briefing Wednesday.

Key Facts

Key Background

Cuomo said the federal government anticipates having enough vaccine doses for about 20 million Americans, roughly 6% of the population, by the end of the month and will allocate the doses by the population of the state. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel on Tuesday recommended states prioritize healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff. If CDC Director Robert Redfield agrees, which is expected, it will become the official CDC guideline. Governors are not required to follow the guideline when they make official plans for the state but, as the New York Times notes, they often do. 

Big Number

664,238. That is how many coronavirus cases there have been in New York as of Monday, according to New York State Department of Health data. Cuomo said of the 193,551 tests reported to the state yesterday, 8,973 were positive, representing a 4.64% positivity rate. 

Tangent

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. David Chokshi on Tuesday recommended New Yorkers 65 years old and over and people with underlying medical conditions stay home aside from essential errands. 

Further Reading

Long-Term-Care Residents and Health Workers Should Get Vaccine First, C.D.C. Panel Says (New York Times)

CDC Panel: Health Workers And Nursing Homes Should Get First Covid Vaccine Doses (Forbes)

Cuomo Says 65% Of Transmission Now From Small Gatherings As State Prepares For Surge (Forbes)

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