This week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reversed New York’s approach to the Covid-19 vaccine and dropped eligibility requirements for anyone 65 and older.
The change has opened up new logistical challenges. But state and local officials expect him to put more gunshots, after a problematic initial launch marked by delays and waste.
People involved in the New York effort said the first month of distribution was riddled with public disputes between state and local officials, Mr. Cuomo’s threats of a $ 1 million fine for not following distribution rules and accusations of making wrong decisions.
New York, which has suffered more deaths from Covid-19 than any other state, has distributed 37 percent of the 1.9 million doses of vaccine it received as of Friday, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. diseases. The percentage is at the same level as Rust Belt states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, but behind large and populated states like Texas and Florida and smaller states like neighboring Connecticut, which has used 51% of its allocation, according to the CDC.
New York State officials have opened vaccination sites against Covid-19 on college campuses, convention centers and stadiums as they dropped eligibility requirements for the vaccine.