Hundreds of people given expired vaccine doses in Times Square

Some 899 New Yorkers received expired COVID-19 vaccine doses at a vaccination site in Times Square. 

The individuals, who received the Pfizer shots at the former NFL Experience building between June 5 and June 10, are encouraged to schedule another inoculation as soon as possible, according to the New York City Health Department. 

Michael Lanza, a deputy press secretary for the department, said in a statement to The Hill, “While there is no safety risk for the patients, the re-administration is being carried out to ensure that the individuals are fully protected.” 

“Those patients have received e-mails, phone calls, and are also being sent letters to make sure they are aware of this situation,” Lanza added. 

ATC Vaccination Services, which administered the shots through a contract with the city, said in a statement, “We apologize for the inconvenience to those receiving the vaccine batch in question and want people first and foremost to know that we have been advised that there is no danger from the vaccine they received,” according to The Associated Press.

The city has since replaced the vendor and instated a new provider to offer vaccines at the Times Square site.

New York City this week reached a milestone of vaccinating 70 percent of its adult population.

“That means we can return to life as we know it,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) tweeted, sharing that the city will be lifting a slate of pandemic restrictions. 

Today New York State reached our goal of 70% adult vaccination.

That means we can return to life as we know it.

Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID restrictions are lifted across commercial and social settings. pic.twitter.com/sMdqkSJ6h5

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 15, 2021