Doses had been thrown out in recent weeks because medical providers had difficulties finding patients who precisely matched the state’s strict guidelines. …
New York on Monday began giving vaccines to residents aged 75 and older as well as a wider range of essential workers, as state health officials expanded the group of people eligible to receive the vaccine.
The updated inoculation guidelines came last week after days of pressure from Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City and an outcry over medical providers having to throw out vaccine doses because of challenges finding patients who precisely matched the state’s strict vaccination guidelines.
“We fought hard for the freedom to vaccinate,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference on Monday. “Now we have it.”
Among the essential workers now permitted to receive the vaccine statewide are police officers, firefighters, teachers and school administrators, public transit workers, public-facing grocery store workers and people living or working in homeless shelters who sleep or eat alongside others outside their household.
new website and phone system (1-877-VAX4-NYC) to help connect people with appointments.
The city has also pushed in recent days to accelerate the pace of vaccinations. Mr. de Blasio said 101,799
