This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo reversed the New York approach to the Covid-19 vaccine, loosening eligibility requirements for anyone 65 and older.
The move opened up new logistical challenges. But state and local officials expect him to put more shots into action, following a problematic initial implementation marked by delays and waste.
People involved in the New York effort said the first month of distribution was plagued by public feuds between state and local officials, Cuomo’s threats of $ 1 million fines for failing to follow distribution rules and accusations of poor decision making.
New York, which suffered more fatalities with Covid-19 than any other state, distributed 37% of the 1.9 million doses of the vaccine it received until Friday, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percentage is on par with the Rust Belt states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, but behind large and populous states like Texas and Florida and smaller states like neighboring Connecticut, which used 51% of its allocation, according to the CDC.
New York state officials have now opened Covid-19 vaccination sites on university campuses, convention centers and stadiums as they have loosened eligibility requirements for the vaccine.