Coronavirus Update New York City: Pharmacies now vaccinating people with underlying conditions in NYC

Coronavirus update for NYC

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Monday, March 22, 2021

Pharmacies now vaccinating people with underlying conditions in NYC

Officials announced a major expansion in vaccine access in New York City.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Officials announced a major expansion in vaccine access in New York City.

Those with underlying conditions can now be vaccinated at pharmacies.

"New Yorkers with comorbidities are among our state's most at-risk residents, and access to the COVID-19 vaccine protects this vulnerable population as we work to defeat the virus and establish the new normal," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Pharmacies are now scheduling vaccination for three groups:

- Age 60+

- Teachers, school staff, and childcare workers

- Those w/ underlying conditions

As a reminder, these are the underlying conditions eligible for vaccination in NY:

- Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)

- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)

- Chronic kidney disease

- Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension (high blood pressure)

- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune), 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

- Intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down syndrome

- Liver disease

- Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease or dementia

- Pulmonary disease, including but not limited to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and related pulmonary diseases

- Pregnancy

- Severe obesity (body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or higher), obesity (body mass index of between 30 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2)

- Sickle cell disease, or thalassemia

- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus

Book here:

- Walgreens

- CVS

- Rite Aid

Those without computer access can book vaccine appointments at pharmacies via phone:

- 800-WALGREENs

- 800-SHOP-CVS

- 800-RITE-AID

Also on Sunday, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer called on the Centers for Disease Control to deploy a $1 billion dollar campaign for outreach efforts.

"So we need an education campaign, and the education campaign should be simple. It simply should say, 'don't be afraid,'" Schumer said.

And change is coming starting Monday.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced fitness studios primarily in New York city can reopen with restrictions including a 33% capacity limit and equipment cleaning.

New York will is also lift restrictions in so called yellow zones and clusters on Monday.

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