New Yorkers 60+, government and nonprofit employees eligible for COVID vaccine this month
A short-term mass vaccination site that utilizes the Johnson & Johnson vaccine opened at Marist College. Credit: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Flickr
The group of New Yorkers eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine will significantly expand this month. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced New Yorkers aged 60 years and older can sign up to receive the vaccine starting this Wednesday and public-facing government, non-profit, and building workers on March 17. Originally, New Yorkers aged 75 years and older were included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout along with healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff, but Cuomo agreed in January to lower the age prerequisite to 65 years and older.
Public-facing government and public employees, non-profit workers providing services for New Yorkers in need, and building service workers, like supers, security officers, and resident managers, will be eligible starting Wednesday, March 17.
According to the state, this expanded group also includes social service and child service caseworkers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, County Clerks, and election workers.
“These are the people who are the everyday heroes, who are out there doing their job,” Cuomo said on Tuesday. “They’re putting themselves in a possible position of exposure. They are essential for us to continue operating.”
Looking to simplify the registration process, Cuomo said starting March 17, all sites can vaccinate any New Yorker who is eligible. The only exception will be pharmacies, which will only vaccinate those 60 years and older and teachers, who are currently eligible at these sites under federal policy.
New Yorkers aged 60 years and older can sign up for a vaccine beginning Wednesday, March 10 at 8 a.m.
See if you are eligible and make an appointment here. You can also call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. Find the city’s vaccine appointment finder website here.
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