BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Hospitals that don't administer all of the vaccines they received from the state by the end of this week risk a fine of up to $100,000 and may not receive future shipments of the vaccine, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo.
"We want those vaccines in people's arms," Governor Cuomo said.
The latest order from the governor comes after state data shows few hospitals have administered all of the vaccines from the state. Many hospitals in Downstate New York have administered fewer than 25% of their vaccine supply. Only three hospitals statewide have administered more than 90% their allocation.
ECMC is among the top hospitals statewide in vaccine administration with 62%. Statewide, 46% of vaccine doses have been administered by all the hospitals.
The governor cited a letter from the New York State Department of Health which said other hospitals who can better administer the vaccine will receive future shipments instead. Hospitals now have seven days to use the supply given by the state.
"This is a very serious public health issue and the department of health, Commissioner Zucker, is very firm about making sure the hospitals step up and deliver here," Cuomo said.
The fines could be up to $100,000.
Hospitals now face a new challenge because of the state's threat. They risk a fine if they don't follow the guidance on prioritization and risk a fine if they don't use all their doses.
"The hospitals have been given the vaccines for expeditious administration," Cuomo said. "If you have been given an allocation and have only used a third of the allocation, then you shouldn't have the allocation.
You have some hospitals that are doing 99% of the allocation…they're much better at administering. I want to get needles in the arms and I want that done as quickly as possible."
Cuomo said the fine would be for accepting an allocation hospitals can't or won't administer.
