New York State faces the challenge of distributing limited COVID-19 vaccine doses. The case involves optimizing vaccine allocation among different population segments, considering factors such as vaccine efficacy, spoilage rates, costs, and economic impact. Key considerations include:

• Balancing health outcomes and economic recovery
• Prioritizing high-risk populations vs. workforce productivity
• Managing vaccine logistics and costs
• Addressing ethical concerns and public perception

The recommended strategy involves using high-efficacy vaccines to inoculate working-age adults to generate tax revenue, while allocating remaining doses to elderly and high-risk groups. This approach aims to fund the vaccination program while protecting vulnerable populations, but faces potential ethical and PR challenges.