Statement from New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on Standby Cohort for Vaccination

“New Yorkers deserve a vaccine rollout that is fast, transparent, and equitable. We have had months to prepare for the rollout. New York City must lead the nation in the vaccination effort — there’s no excuse for delay.

“Yesterday I sent Mayor de Blasio a letter with recommendations to expedite COVID-19 vaccine rollout and reach as many New Yorkers as possible. I specifically called on the City to gather names for a standby cohort of high-risk individuals in case of bottlenecks and delays to immediately vaccinate as soon as the City gains permission.

“I am pleased that the Mayor has now announced they will begin pre-registering seniors shortly, but I remain troubled that the City did not plan for this earlier. We can’t reopen our economy or get people back to work without widespread vaccination. Lives and livelihoods are at stake.

“The City should also develop a database to help hospitals and health care providers track demand and usage and potentially redistribute doses, and we need to double down on outreach to New Yorkers. Time and again we have seen that transparency and communication are our best public health tools. The City must invest in public education and work with community leaders to ensure New Yorkers know who is eligible, where to receive vaccinations, and how to register in advance.

“We must waste no time and waste no dose. This is the city that never sleeps. Let’s act like it.”

###