New York pharmacies are now able to offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone with an underlying condition, health officials say.
The state Department of Health said that starting March 18, pharmacies were “authorized to vaccine individuals with comorbidities or underlying conditions.”
Previously, pharmacies had been limited to administering the shots to people age 60 and older, school employees and childcare workers.
Still, other currently eligible groups, such as food-industry workers, cab and ride-share drivers and first-responders, are not permitted to sign up for the jab at the pharmacies.
The expanded eligibility at pharmacies comes as more than 7.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state — with at least 3.4 million given out in the Big Apple so far.
“As we surpass yet another milestone with the vaccinations in our ongoing war against COVID, we need to remember that we are still in a footrace with the infection rate and other important metrics,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo saidin a statement.
“We have achieved remarkable progress, but we need to stay vigilant and determined as more we open more sectors of our economy. Any increase in in-person activity can have consequences if we don’t do it right.
“In the meantime, I urge all eligible New Yorkers who have yet to be vaccinated to sign up for an appointment right away, and to come back for their second dose as necessary.”
