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Vaccine For All: City Begins Vaccination for Homebound New Yorkers

March 4, 2021

NEW YORK– With the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the City’s effort to vaccinate homebound New Yorkers is now officially underway, Mayor de Blasio announced today.

“The arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will revolutionize our vaccine effort,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today we are bringing shots directly to our homebound seniors, making sure vaccines go to those who need them the most.”

The City of New York is partnering with the Department for the Aging, Medicaid Health Plans, and HRO to call thousands of homebound seniors who will be referred to a new city-run initiative to provide vaccinations in the home. FDNY will deploy field teams with nurses to vaccinate older adults aged 65 and older in select residential buildings identified by DFTA and HPD starting today through next week.

Five teams are being deployed to vaccinate the first round of older adults Thursday and Friday at Co-op City in the Bronx and Brighton Beach respectively. This effort will scale up to 30 teams vaccinating 240 clients per day by the week of March 15.

The City is also working with healthcare providers experienced in home-based care, such as visiting doctors and nurses, who will begin vaccinating hundreds of homebound older adults and caregivers over the next two to three weeks.

The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine gives the City a new tool in the vaccination campaign due to its efficacy with a single dose as well as ease of storage, shipping and distribution.  

“Vaccinating as many New Yorkers are possible will require us to meet New Yorkers where they are – and that includes in their homes,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “Access is essential and we’re putting every resource at our disposal to reach New Yorkers most at risk. The best vaccine is the one you get, and the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine will be a lifeline for homebound New Yorkers.”

“With the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we can finally protect homebound our older adults with a vaccine that can be effectively administered in their homes – and that is a huge relief for families and all of us. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the FDNY, also known as New York’s Bravest, for helping us get the shots in arms needed by homebound older adults,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.

“Since COVID-19 vaccines became available in December, the Department has vaccinated thousands of our own frontline first responders, and thousands more city employees. Each vaccinated person helps make our city even safer and brings us closer to one day ending this pandemic,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “Now, we are proud to continue our vaccination efforts through this vital program that will vaccinate a vulnerable portion of our city’s population, helping to ensure their health and safety.”

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