New York - 13 January 2021
1. Exterior of Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan
2. Sign outside convention center announcing vaccination by appointment only
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3. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Zucker, New York State Health Commissioner:
"While the fight is not over, we're here today with a much more optimistic outlook. We're here with the vaccine."
4. People in line for vaccinations
5. Man getting vaccinated
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6. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Zucker, New York State Health Commissioner:
"More than seven million New Yorkers are now eligible, but we only get 300,000 doses each week from the federal government and at that rate, it could take up to six months to vaccinate everyone currently eligible. The Federal government needs to do better. We need Washington, D.C. to step up and provide doses so that we can get the shots in the arms to protect New Yorkers."
7. Man getting vaccinated
8. Various, interior of convention center as people get vaccinated
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9. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Zucker, New York State Health Commissioner:
"To win this battle against COVID-19, we need between 70% and 90% of the population to take the vaccine and to win this battle against COVID-19, we also need the dedicated staff and the tremendous facilities here at Javits Center."
10. Interior of convention center as people get vaccinated
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11. SOUNDBITE (English) Linda Evans, received vaccine injection:
"My arm's not sore, I had no reaction and I come back February 3rd for my second round and hopefully it will be as pleasant as it was then."
12. Mass vaccination center inside Javits Center
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13. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Stone, received vaccine injection:
"I'm so excited about getting this done and everything like that and sort of getting ready to get back to a semi-normal life and everything like that. So this is great."
14. People getting vaccinated
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A state-run COVID-19 vaccination site opened Wednesday in New York City at a convention center that was transformed into a field hospital at the height of the pandemic in the spring.
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is now a mass inoculation center for an ever expanding list of people eligible to get vaccinated.
New York state expanded COVID-19 vaccine distribution Tuesday to people 65 and over, increasing access to an already short supply of doses being distributed through an overtaxed system some users have found time consuming.
"To win this battle against COVID-19, we need between 70% and 90% of the population to take the vaccine and to win this battle against COVID-19," said Howard Zucker, New York State Health Commissioner.
New Yorkers battered by months of isolation and worry are eager to receive what many see as a shot of hope, as the city ramps up efforts to get people inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
"My arm's not sore, I had no reaction and I come back February 3rd for my second round and hopefully it will be as pleasant as it was then," Linda Evans said.
The state had already dramatically expanded vaccine eligibility beyond health care workers on Monday to include people 75 and older and to police officers, teachers and other key professions.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the lower age eligibility Tuesday, even as a state vaccine hotline was temporarily not accepting calls due to high call volumes.
"I'm so excited about getting this done and everything like that and sort of getting ready to get back to a semi-normal life," said Robert Stone, who was vaccinated Wednesday with his wife Gail. The two were among the first to receive vaccinations at the Javits Center.
People were making inoculation appointments through a state website, which generates a list of nearby sites users can contact.
In addition to the Javits Center, New York state plans to open a drive-thru location on Long Island's Jones Beach on Thursday and at the University at Albany on Friday, according to the Cuomo administration.
