STATEN ISLAND, NY – The state has expanded the group of people who will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine (COVID-19) to include those with certain comorbidities as of February 15.
Ninety-four percent of COVID-19-related deaths across the state were from people with underlying diseases and comorbidities.
Vaccine doses, which are scarce in the city and state, will come from local hospitals that no longer need them to vaccinate employees – those in group 1a of the state’s vaccine implantation plan.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday that hospitals have until February 15 to vaccinate all staff members or their supplies will be relocated to local Health Department vaccination sites for administration.
Cuomo’s office released the following list of eligible comorbidities that are at risk for serious COVID-19 disease:
- Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11 related cancers)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Lung disease, including, but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and 9/11 related lung diseases
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome
- Cardiac conditions, including, but not limited to, heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system), including, but not limited to, solid organ or blood or bone marrow transplantation, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other drugs to weaken the immune system or other causes
- Severe obesity (body mass index 40 kg / m2) and obesity (body mass index 30 kg / m2 or more, but less than 40 kg / m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain
- Neurological conditions, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Liver disease
“New Yorkers with underlying comorbidities and conditions exist in the entire population of the state – they are our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who keep us safe every day and they are a highly affected population,” said Cuomo.
The list of comorbidities released by the state is almost identical to the list first issued by the Centers for Disease Control in late December, however, they have not been eligible for vaccination so far.
Those with the comorbidities mentioned above can start making appointments for February 15, said Cuomo. However, as of Saturday afternoon, city and state websites still did not reflect the updated information.
Last week, the city also expanded its vaccine eligibility list after obtaining state approval to include restaurant workers, hired drivers and residents and workers living in homes for people with developmental disabilities.
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