Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday unveiled legislation meant to send more federal aid to the COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort. 

The move comes as the distribution of the vaccine has flagged across the country and in New York. The year-end goal of 20 million vaccinations fell far short, reaching only 4.2 million Americans. 

In New York statewide, only 239,941 doses have been administered out of the 774,075 vaccines availabe in the state. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced the state would take a more active role in completing the vaccinations of people in nursing homes, where a federal government-backed effort through pharmacy chains has been underway since last month. 

Cuomo has called on federal officials to approve more aid for state governments to distribute vaccines. He has estimated New York needs at least $1 billion for a successful vaccine distribution campaign.