Grocery store workers in phase two of city’s vaccine rollout

Grocery store workers are among the next in line for COVID-19 vaccines, as the city plans to administer one million doses by the end of January.

This is part of phase two of the vaccine rollout, which also includes first responders like police and firefighters, teachers and pharmacists.

The first phase provided shots to frontline workers in ICUs and hospitals, nursing home workers and residents, and EMS workers.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our members, like many other industries, have been forced to go to work every day and they have been at a much higher risk than most other industries. So having them in phase two creates a good enough situation to maintain their health for themselves and their families, ”said Robert Newell, president of UFCW Local 1500, which represents grocery store workers.

There are a total of five phases in the city plan. Most New Yorkers who are not essential or at-risk workers will be vaccinated during the last phase. The timeline runs through September.