February 5, 2021

Albany, NY

Cancer, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities, heart disease, immunocompromised status, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease or thalassemia, type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, neurological diseases and liver disease will be eligible

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released today the list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that the state of New York will use to determine eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers with one of the comorbidities on the list will be eligible for the vaccine from February 15.

“New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying 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,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are committed to vaccinating vulnerable populations that have suffered the most, as we distribute a strictly limited supply of vaccines, and people with comorbidities account for 94 percent of the state’s COVID deaths. That’s why we will open eligibility for people with comorbidities to starting February 15 and giving hospitals the ability to use extra doses to serve this population. Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change – they need to prepare now. “

The full list of comorbidities and underlying conditions is available below. The list is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and the state of New York obtains and analyzes additional state specific data.

Adults of any age with the following conditions due to the increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19:

  • 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 lung diseases related to 9/11
  • 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 condition (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 (BMI 40 kg / m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30 kg / m2 or greater, but <40 kg / m2)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Neurological conditions including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
  • Liver disease