City Councilor Mark Levine said Thursday that the state-run Javits Center had been the city’s most popular vaccination center.
The councilor announced on his Twitter account that some 6,000 appointments for the Pfizer vaccine had opened at midnight for those aged 16 and over.
However, as of Thursday morning, Levine said almost all appointments were held, including 1,000 for Friday.
Almost all of these appointments are still available, including more than 1,000 by tomorrow.
This is the most popular vaccination center in New York. So far the apps had often gone in a matter of minutes.
This is a deeply worrying development. https://t.co/yZ62vM0LLg
– Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) April 15, 2021
“This is a deeply troubling development,” he said.
Levine called it a “turning point” in the effort to vaccinate New York City residents.
New York has reached a turning point in vaccination.
After months of intense competition for applications, the slots fill much more slowly.
Our challenge is no longer to manage the collapse of demand. It brings vax to people who need it and builds confidence in this life-saving solution.
– Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) April 15, 2021
“After months of intense competition for applications, the gaps are filling much more slowly. Our challenge is no longer to manage the influx of demand. It is bringing vax to people who need it and building confidence in this solution. which saves lives, ”Levine posted. .
He urged people to help spread the word and offer to help others make an appointment.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the available appointments did not mean a decrease in demand or a problem in encouraging people to book vaccines.
“I feel great about the fact that there are a lot of appointments for people and that they’re easier to get,” he said. “I’m much happier about the situation where people can get an appointment quickly.”
He added that the more you can make it easy, simple and close to people, the more they will participate in the process.
“I agree with the mayor on the description which is good,” said New York Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “Now there’s a longer window, not too long, hours or, in some cases, a day or two before it fills up.”
Dr. Chokshi said it now gives the city a chance to reach the people they really want to reach, not just people with technological know-how.
He noted that the city’s hotline, 1-877-VAX-4NYC, has appointments reserved for those who prefer to use the phone rather than book their COVID vaccine online.
“We don’t consider demand to be a static phenomenon,” Chokshi said. Taking note of the city plan to increase access, outreach and trust.
The Javits Center has stopped using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while a CDC advisory group examines six cases of blood clotting in patients. Those who show up for appointments at the Javits Center will receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine.
RELATED: NYC opens stellar Broadway vaccination site
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