AARP New York Urges Creation of Unified Scheduling System for COVID-19 Vaccinations in New York City

Organization Encourages City Council to Pass Intro 2236

NEW YORK—AARP New York today urged New York City Council Members to pass Intro 2236, a bill to create a unified scheduling system for COVID-19 vaccinations and reduce barriers to access for New Yorkers seeking appointments.

The bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop and maintain a website that operates as a unified scheduling system for COVID-19 vaccinations for all cooperating vaccination locations and providers located in New York City. The website would also allow an eligible user to receive notifications when new vaccination appointments are available, and to pre-register for such appointments.

“The city must take every possible step to ensure swift and equitable vaccine distribution to protect at-risk New Yorkers, including those 50-plus, who have made up 95 percent of COVID-19 deaths in New York City,” said Beth Finkel, State Director, AARP New York. “The creation of a unified scheduling system is an important step in making sure COVID-19 vaccines reach all New Yorkers by reducing barriers and improving access to vaccines. On behalf of AARP New York, I am grateful to the City Council members who sponsored this measure, including lead sponsor and health committee chair Council Member Mark Levine, and I urge the council to pass the legislation at this week’s meeting.”

The science has clearly shown that the older New Yorkers are, the higher risk they face if they contract COVID-19. And people of color—along with those of limited incomes and those who must work on the frontlines in hospitals, schools and stores—are especially vulnerable. New York City must do everything possible to expand access to vaccinations by removing barriers that have disproportionately affected the communities most impacted by the pandemic. As of March 15, only about one quarter of all NYC adults ages 65-84 have been fully vaccinated.

While the federal government continues efforts to increase vaccine supply, local distribution remains a serious problem as well. The disconnected scheduling systems for state, city, and private vaccine providers create challenges in accessing scarce vaccine appointments, especially for those with technological limitations.

AARP is providing regular updates on the COVID-19 vaccine in New York at www.aarp.org/nyvaccine.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/ny or follow @AARPNY and @AARPadvocates on social media.