City primed for booster jabs – Blaz

Get ready to roll up your sleeves again!

Mayor de Blasio and city health officials announced Tuesday that they’re ready to deliver millions of booster shots to New Yorkers if and when the federal government recommends them.

As early as Wednesday, U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of the vaccine for all Americans eight months after they get their second shot.

“We want people to start thinking about this,” de Blasio said. “We’re going to make it easy, and it’s free as always.”

“We have such a head of steam with vaccinations,” he added. “We can use the exact same system for boosters.”

The booster shots were approved Monday for those who are immunocompromised or have other medical issues.

Based on the expected federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation, the extra jabs will begin in mid-September, with older people and nursing home residents going first, followed by younger age groups.

City Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said officials have already begun preparing for the booster shots, if the feds give the green light.

“We will be ready for that eventuality,” he said.

New York has already administered more than 10 million vaccine doses at a sprawling network of hospitals, clinics, community health centers and popup sites.

Chokshi said the city would rely on the same infrastructure to deliver the booster shots.

Dr. Theodore Long of NYC Health + Hospitals said the city’s entire vaccination “toolbox” would be put to work for the booster shots, including dozens of mobile vaccination sites and even in-home vaccinations.

More than 198 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or 70% of those who are eligible, according to the CDC.

Just under 60% of Americans 12 and older are fully vaccinated.