Yonkers Insider: PRESS RELEASE: Councilman John Rubbo Urges the Trump Administration to Release Additional Vaccines from the National Stockpile Immediately.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COUNCILMAN JOHN RUBBO URGES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO RELEASE ADDITIONAL DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES.

 

January 8, 2021 (YONKERS, NY) – Yonkers City Councilman John Rubbo today urged the federal government to release additional COVID-19 vaccinations from the national stockpile to states and to accelerate the pace of the national vaccination rollout, joining with state and local officials across the country calling for modification to the federal government’s vaccine distribution plan.

“Vaccination offers a pathway out of this pandemic,” said Councilman Rubbo. “To date, the national vaccination program has overpromised and dramatically underdelivered. Currently, the federal government is stockpiling doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to reserve second doses for people who have already received one shot; I join with elected officials across the country in urging the Department of Health and Human Services to release doses from the national stockpile, and expedite vaccination for our most vulnerable populations.”
 

“I am particularly concerned about the new coronavirus strain, B.1.1.7, which scientists suspect is more transmissible than prior strains of this virus,” continued Councilman Rubbo.  “By releasing doses from the national stockpile, we can accelerate the vaccination of our first responders, frontline workers and senior population to give them the highest degree protection possible entering the New Year. A single vaccination could save a life, and I believe it is unacceptable that the federal government would withhold doses from state and local health officials. Our frontline workers and first responders have given everything to this fight for the last nine months, and any delay to the delivery of vaccinations is an affront to their inspiring work over the course of this pandemic.”
 

“Our city is home to a number of senior homes and long term care facilities which were ravaged by COVID-19. I am concerned that the inefficient rollout of vaccines will have a negative impact on our senior residents, as well as the approximately 3.3 million adults over the age of 65 across New York State. By releasing doses from the national stockpile, we can get the vaccination process underway for a broader population of New Yorkers, while still ensuring everybody receives the required two doses.”
 

“One of the first major outbreaks of COVID-19 in New York State occurred mere miles away from the City of Yonkers,” added Councilman Rubbo. “I myself recently tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, and our community has no end of stories of the pain and disruption caused by this virus. Vaccination places our country on the road to recovery, and I urge the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to ensure to accelerate vaccine delivery to the broadest possible population, and ask all Yonkers residents to continue to wear a mask in public, practice social distancing, and avoid large gatherings. There is light at the end of the tunnel, as long as we all work together.”