#NYPD cops face delayed COVID-19 vaccine rollout

NYPD cops will not begin receiving the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday as previously scheduled, according to Commissioner Dermot Shea — with a detectives’ union memo citing issues with the state supply chain.

“We are waiting,” said Shea during a wide-ranging briefing held Tuesday at One Police Plaza. “As recently as last week or a week-and-a-half ago we were hoping that we’d get it now and into the first week of January.

“We’re relying on the state and city department of health to advise us when we’re in line,” the top cop continued. “We certainly appreciate that everyone wants to get this and we have to wait for our fair turn in line and that’s what we’re doing. But we’re anxiously awaiting it and want it as soon as possible.” 

Shea’s remarks confirmed a memo circulated Monday within the Detectives’ Endowment Association union warning that the shots were delayed.

“The State has not released the vaccine in the quantity needed for the NYPD,” the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Post, reads in part. “We’ve made numerous attempts to get updated information, and when we get further word on its availability, we will immediately keep our members apprised of the new date and the method of distribution.”

Patrick Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association union, blasted the delay for the Finest.

“Once again, politicians in Albany and City Hall are wasting time with bureaucratic gymnastics instead of looking at the reality on the ground,” he said in a statement. “New York City police officers aren’t just on the front line. We cover every part of the front line: from hospitals and housing complexes to the corner store. 

“We have more daily contact with New Yorkers than any other city agency,” he continued. “We are continuing to press for vaccines to be made available to police officers as soon as possible.”

The city and state departments of health did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

FDNY EMTs began receiving the vaccine last week.

Shea has said the vaccinations would be voluntary for the NYPD, but later acknowledged that there was a chance they could become compulsory.