COVID-19 Vaccination (Ed Reed/ Mayoral Photography Office)
Jan. 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin
New Yorkers 65 and older can now receive the COVID-19 vaccination, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.
The announcement comes one day after people 75 and older became eligible for the shot across the state.
Cuomo said he lowered the age restrictions in line with newly-released guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommend health officials begin vaccinating people 65 and older as well as the immunocompromised.
Those 65 and older can begin scheduling appointments to receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine starting today, Secretary to Gov. Cuomo Melissa DeRosa confirmed on Twitter.
However, state officials are waiting for clearer guidance from the CDC on who is considered immunocompromised before opening appointments for people who fall into that category. The group will likely include people with heart and respiratory issues among other underlying health conditions.
Cuomo said that the expansion in vaccine eligibility means 7 million New Yorkers can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, he warned that the state doesn’t have the supply to meet the demand.
“We receive 300,000 dosages per week — that has not changed…,” Cuomo said on a call with reporters. “At 300,000 per week, how do you effectively serve 7 million people all of whom are now eligible?”
The governor had been reluctant to increase the number of New Yorkers who can currently receive the coronavirus vaccine last week.
After pushback from Mayor Bill de Blasio and other local leaders, Cuomo added educators, first responders such as police officers and firefighters, public transit workers and people 75 and older to the vaccine eligibility list.
Now, people 65 and older as well as others who are eligible can make an appointment to get vaccinated by calling 877-VAX-4NYC or visiting nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.
