NYC Hits 1M COVID Vaccine Boosters As It Readies For Omicron

New York City NY

01 December, 2021

3:54 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — More than 1 million New Yorkers have rolled up their sleeves for a coronavirus vaccine boosters, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. And timing could be important — just hours after de Blasio announced the milestone Wednesday, officials in California said they detected the first omicron coronavirus case in the United States. De Blasio highlighted another reason to get a booster: the holidays. "Listen, this is the time, get that booster before the holiday season, before any gathering," he said. NYC has one of the highest #COVID19 vax rates in the nation and we just hit 1 million booster shots administered. Thank you to every New Yorker who stepped up and got vaxxed.Get your booster before the holidays and get the added protection you need: https://t.co/5vnX71GJGJ https://t.co/ZdCc4e8exv— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 1, 2021 So far, no omicron cases have been detected in New York. But officials predict it's only a matter of time before it reaches the city and state. "We expected the Omicron variant to come to the United States," Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted. "We are continuing to monitor Omicron & as of right now, there are no confirmed cases in New York State." We expected the Omicron variant to come to the United States. We are continuing to monitor Omicron & as of right now, there are no confirmed cases in New York State.We have the tools to fight Omicron & any other COVID-19 variant.Get vaccinatedGet your boosterWear a mask— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 1, 2021 Researchers still don't know how effective COVID-19 vaccines will be against the omicron variant, but city health officials recommend getting vaccinated and boosters. Unvaccinated New Yorkers remain at significantly higher risk for infection, hospitalization and death compared to those who received the vaccine, said Dave Chokshi, the city's health commissioner. He said it's remarkably effective against the delta variant, which is the current dominant virus strain. " When it comes to cases, unvaccinated New Yorkers are seven times more likely to be infected in this era of when delta is dominant compared to vaccinated New Yorkers," he said. "So, our message remains very clear, get vaccinated and get your booster."