NYC has a vaccine scheduling problem--with an online system that is maddeningly complicated and time-consuming to navigate.

We are introducing legislation mandating creation of a SINGLE, simple, multilingual scheduling website.

@NYCCouncil hearing on the bill tomorrow, 10am. 1/

Right now dozens of different vaccine providers each have their own online booking system, often requiring separate registration and eligibility checks just to see the schedule. 2/

There is no good waiting list system, so NYers are forced to just keep hitting refresh--sometimes for hours on end--until appointments open up. 3/

There is no clear way to see which providers are vaccinating different groups--Aged 65+? Different employment groups? Those with underlying conditions?

Also no clear way to see residency requirements--only NYC residents? Bronx? Certain neighborhoods? 4/

The impact of all this is to effectively screen out the most vulnerable NYers. Because to get through you need tech skills, hours of free time, English skills etc. (multilingual support is spotty at best). 5/

The technological arms race of bots which inform people of open vaccine appointments in NYC is extremely helpful--but only for those on Twitter. It makes it even harder for people who are not connected (elderly, immigrant workers etc.) to compete for appointments. 6/

Travel websites bring together many different airline booking systems into a single, easy-to-use interface. We need this for vaccine scheduling in NYC. This is what our legislation calls for: https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4794734&GUID=FEA00F7E-F9A6-4875-87C6-BD4E6033CA87&Options=Advanced&Search= 7/

We also need a robust system for scheduling NYers for vaccine appointments outside of websites and social media--via phone support and in-person, on the ground, multilingual outreach. Staff should even go door-to-door for this. 8/

The problems with booking a vaccine appointment in NYC are solvable, as many incredible tech volunteers have proven. Now we need the resources of City gov't behind this.

Thrilled to be co-chairing the @NYCCouncil on this tomorrow w/ @CM_MargaretChin & @BobHoldenNYC. 9/9