Federal Pharmacy Program Boosts City Vaccination Effort

The federal program will increase New York City’s allocation by 26,500 doses per week

Pharmacies will offer on-site COVID-19 vaccines to New Yorkers older than 65

February 11, 2021 — The number of vaccine doses available for New York City each week received a 26,500-dose boost through a federal program that provides retail pharmacies with the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will be delivered directly to pharmacies specifically for New Yorkers who are older than 65 under New York State guidelines. Older New Yorkers are an especially important population due to risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.

“Pharmacies are a trusted part of our infrastructure, particularly for seniors who rely on them for medications and other services,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “These additional doses will be a lifeline for so many city residents.”

This week (beginning 2/8), the 26,500 doses allocated to the pharmacy program increased the city’s doses by 20% from the 131,825 allocated to 158,325 first doses. In the coming week (beginning 2/15), the additional 26,500 weekly doses will be added to the expected 138,125 doses to bring the total to 164,625.

In New York City, the federal pharmacy partners are Walgreens/Duane Reade, Costco and Rite Aid. The new program will increase the number of access points on the City’s Vaccine Finder by more than 250 sites this week. These include 188 Walgreens sites, 75 Rite Aid sites and 5 Costco sites.

This increases the total number of vaccine access points open to any of the eligible public to approximately 400.

The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program is a partnership between the CDC, pharmacies and local governments that will increase access to COVID-19 vaccination across the country. The Biden Administration has allocated 1-million doses across the country, proportional to population.

Eligible New Yorkers can look for appointments online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue / Michael Lanza, (347) 396-4177
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov