The vaccine started shipping from a Kentucky warehouse on Monday, with an initial 3.9 million doses expected to arrive at destinations across the country within 24 to 48 hours.
[Ads /]
The state of New York expects to receive 164,800 doses this week, this as Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the opening of a new vaccination site at Co-op City in the Bronx.
Raw Video: Mayor de Blasio announces vax site at Co-op City
The site will open at 131 Dreiser Loop Thursday, the mayor said, with operating hours set for Thursdays through Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
RELATED: Where can you get a COVID-19 vaccine? Tracking availability and progress
Citi Field will becomes New York's next mega-vaccination site
It is part of the city's ongoing effort to get more vaccine into the arms of New York City residents, particularly in hard-hit low income areas.
De Blasio announced the city has surpassed 2 million vaccinations, a pace that's expected to pick up with this week's rollout of the third vaccine.
The mayor says he will take the J&J version when available, as medical experts seek to quash any notion it's less effective.
New vaccination site at Co-op City; J&J shots coming to NYC
Clinical trial numbers were lower, but Pfizer and Moderna were not tested against variants that have emerged over the last few months.
The mayor also called on the state to open up vaccine eligibility to include sanitation workers, lifeguards, attorneys and court personnel, NYCHA workers and inspectors at various city agencies.
[Ads /]
The news comes as amid a chill of concerns about a COVID-19 variant whipping through Washington Heights.
"It had to come here, started here, right?" area resident Vera DeCicco said. "Unbelievable."
The variant is referred to as 526.
"We certainly are taking the New York variant 526 very seriously," Dr. Anthony Fauci said "It started off in what is out in Washington Heights and has moved to other boroughs and is now gaining."
ALSO READ | New York legislators will pass bill repealing Cuomo's emergency powers
Washington Heights is a predominantly Latino neighborhood that has been hard hit by COVID.
"This is my community, and we've been a vulnerable population from the very beginning," Vera said.
RELATED: When did you realize the COVID pandemic changed everything?
When did you realize the COVID pandemic changed everything?
[Ads /]
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
Find out if you are eligible and where you can go to get your vaccine
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
Where to get tested in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Submit a News Tip or Question