R.I. sets goal to get first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 70% of those eligible by May 15 Updated at 2:19 p.m. on April 8, 2021. CASES OF COVID-19 in Rhode Island increased by 360 on Wednesday. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDENCE – State officials laid out the groundwork Thursday during their weekly COVID-19 press conference for large-scale events to incrementally return in Rhode Island. Gov. Daniel J. McKee and R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott stated that Rhode Island is setting a goal to administer at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to 70% of all Rhode Islanders ages 16 and older by May 15.