New York City is broadly laying out its coronavirus vaccination distribution plan with the first doses expected to come the middle of this month pending approval.
Once a vaccine starts arriving, Health Commissioner Dr. David Chokshi thinks it will only be a few weeks before the city can cover all high risk health care workers. The city will use health care providers and pharmacies and will set up vaccine sites in schools.
“These sites would serve essential workers initially but could be expanded to serve members of the general public.”
But Dr. Jay Varma cautions that it will take many months before vaccine is widely distributed so folks need to keep following coronavirus rules.
“If you are playing baseball and you know you have Mariano Rivera coming in in the 9th inning, you don’t stop batting just you know you have a closer coming in.”
Meanwhile Mayor Bill de Blasio is sounding the alarm with the coronavirus situation getting worse in New York City. The seven day average positivity rate has jumped to a little over five percent, the first time in many months it’s been that high.
De Blasio says all three main coroanvirus indicators are moving in the wrong direction.
“It’s quite clear at this point the second wave unfortunately is right upon us.”
He says everyone needs to take maximum precautions now. The mayor is pleased though that the city is not seeing stress on the ICU units like it did in the spring.
“But we’re extremely concerned and vigilant to make sure we protect our hospitals.”