White House Boosts NY Coronavirus Vaccines By 5%, Cuomo Says

New York City NY

09 February, 2021

1:30 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — A new 5 percent boost in New York's allotment of coronavirus vaccine is part of a steady, but still inadequate, increase in its supply of life-saving shots. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday said White House officials recently informed him about the three-week increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply. He said it will help health officials plan vaccination appointments across the state, including in New York City, over the coming weeks. And if it doesn't sound like much, Cuomo pointed out it's on top of previously-announced 15 percent and 5 percent increases — or 26 percent total. "Over the past three weeks it has been relatively significant," he said. "Again, not proportionate to the need but it has been helpful." Cuomo said the state will receive about 300,000 vaccine doses a week for roughly 10 million New Yorkers who are eligible for the shots. The state's and city's vaccination efforts have gone slower than hoped, in large part because of supply shortfalls. But Cuomo said the state overall has managed to get roughly 10 percent of its population a vaccine dose.