New York City reschedules 23,000 vaccination appointments due to supply issues 

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers had their coronavirus vaccine appointments rescheduled this week due to a lack of supply, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said Wednesday.

According to the mayor, a delay in the delivery of Moderna’s vaccine contributed to the supply issues, which puts the city’s goal of 1 million vaccinations by the end of the month in jeopardy.

“We’ve had to tell 23,000 New Yorkers who had an appointment this week that they will not be able to get that appointment for lack of supply,” de Blasio said during a news conference.

De Blasio and city health commissioner Dave Chokshi said the delayed appointments were for people scheduled to receive their first dose Thursday and Friday, but they were rescheduled for next week.

De Blasio said the federal government needs to give cities and states more information about the supply of vaccines, but said he has confidence it will be better under the new Biden administration.

The mayor said he thinks President Biden will use the Defense Production Act to break through supply bottlenecks.

“Right now the best solution is what the Biden admin is committed to, expanding supply using the Defense Production Act. We need the supply expanded in a huge way and I truly believe that is what the Biden administration will do,” de Blasio said.