ALBANY, N.Y. (UPDATED) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising states to expand vaccine eligibility to those 65 and older, as well as people who are immunocompromised.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state will “accept the CDC guidance” and allow those groups to get vaccinated in the current phase.
"We are going to accept the federal guidance of the 65+ and the immunocompromised. I don't want New Yorkers to think that we are not doing everything we can to make them eligible for the vaccine, because I want to keep people in New York as calm as we can keep people in these anxious times," he said.
NEW: New Yorkers age 65+ are now eligible for the COVID vaccine — effective immediately.
Check your eligibility and find vaccination locations near you.
I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible NYers than there is vaccine supply from the federal gov.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 12, 2021
However, Cuomo says adding those 65 and over increases the pool of eligible New Yorkers to 7 million. With just 300,000 doses delivered to the state weekly, this pushes out the timeline to get to the general population, which Cuomo previously said would happen in March or April.
"I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible New Yorkers than there is vaccine supply from the federal government," Cuomo said on Twitter.
The state has not yet reported the number of immunocompromised people in the state that would qualify, and how much that would add to the 7 million. Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor, says the state is working with the CDC to define who would fall under the category of immunocompromised.
All of the appointments at local vaccination sites are booked through Jan. 15, as of Tuesday.
To find out more about eligibility and how to make an appointment, click here.
Adults 65 and older, people with certain underlying medical conditions, and other essential workers are recommended for the next phase. pic.twitter.com/dAN9lNnzTN
— CDC (@CDCgov) January 11, 2021
