Coronavirus Update New York City: NYC's goal is to vaccinate 5 million by June, Javits Center site begins 24/7 mode

Coronavirus update for NYC

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Mayor de Blasio: NYC's goal is to vaccinate 5 million by June

"Bronx is going to help lead the way, lead the way in the recovery of New York City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a vaccination site opening in Co-Op City.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City's goal is to fully vaccinate 5 million New Yorkers by June.

That's what Mayor Bill de Blasio said Saturday afternoon during a celebration of a new vaccination site in the Bronx.

"Bronx is going to help lead the way, lead the way in the recovery of New York City," he said.

When the Co-Op City site reaches full strength, de Blasio says 1,000 will be vaccinated every day in the community.

"What a difference maker that will be," he said.

According to the mayor, Co-Op City is one of the first places to do homebound senior vaccinations.

"Now that we have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we can reach our homebound seniors," he said.

50 homebound seniors have already been vaccinated already in Co-Op City.

The number of New Yorkers vaccinated is now over 3 million.

Early Saturday morning, the Javits Center had begun accepting appointments around the clock in an effort to get more New Yorkers vaccinated.

Marcus Solis reports on the vaccination efforts in New York City.

The state-run vaccination facility went into 24-hour mode.

Made possible by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine approved last Saturday, doses began to arrive in New York during the week.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one-shot only, making it easier to get people rapidly vaccinated.

Many were fortunate to snag an appointment Saturday morning.

Also, there was promising news from the mayor as he's set to make an announcement about high schools - and when they could return to in-person learning - sometime next week.

The news comes as positivity rates in the area continue to slowly decline.

Middle schools returned last week.

The mayor says the goal is to have all students back for in-person learning, full-day instruction, five days a week for the start of the next school year in September.

ALSO READ | NYPD bodycam shows domestic violence suspect ambushing officers in Queens

The NYPD released body camera footage Friday of a November 2020 shooting that shows the suspect in a domestic violence case entering a home in Queens and opening fire on two office