BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Beginning Sunday, New Yorkers with underlying medical conditions and comorbidities can sign up for a COVID-19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday.
The announcement will allow those who are more vulnerable to death or severe illness from COVID-19 to be eligible to receive the vaccine as early as February 15, the state's previously announced date.
New York defines comorbidities as people with any age with conditions like cancer, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary disease, intellectual and development disabilities, heart conditions, immunocompromised state, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, neurologic conditions, and liver disease.
"There will be validation of the comorbidity," Governor Cuomo said. "People will need to bring doctor's letter or medical information that evidences that they have this comorbidities or they now sign a certification when they get the vaccination. They'll have to certify they have a comorbidity. Those three options are all available and we'll leave it to the local health department to determine what exactly is the validation they want."
Cuomo warned that there may be people who will attempt to lie about their status in order to get the vaccine. He did not specify what the penalties are if someone fraudulently receives the vaccine. New York State will audit the local validation systems with a federal data system that documents where the doses went.
