NEW YORK (WBEN) – New York pharmacies can now administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible people with underlying conditions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
"As New York receives more doses and more people receive the vaccine, we're able to expand the population pharmacies can serve, and this is a commonsense step forward that will help make it easier to protect New Yorkers," Cuomo said in a statement.
Pharmacies had already been vaccinating people over 60 years old and teachers.
Cuomo said Sunday that 7.5 million vaccine doses had been administered across the state in all, with 139,209 doses administered statewide in the past day.
To show their eligibility, New Yorkers with comorbidities or underlying health conditions can use a doctor's letter, medical information evidencing a comorbidity or a signed certification.
Here are the eligible underlying conditions:
• Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes
• Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer's Disease or dementia
• Liver disease
