New York pharmacies can now offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone with an underlying disease, health officials say.
The state Department of Health reported that, as of March 17, pharmacies have been “authorized to vaccinate individuals with underlying comorbidities or conditions”.
Previously, pharmacies were limited to administering the injections to people aged 60 and over, school staff and child care workers.
Still, other currently eligible groups, such as food industry workers, taxi drivers and hitchhikers and rescuers, are not allowed to register for the jab at pharmacies.
The increase in eligibility in pharmacies occurs when more than 7.5 million doses of vaccines have been administered in the state – with at least 3.4 million distributed in the Big Apple so far.
“As we pass another milestone with vaccinations in our ongoing war against COVID, we need to remember that we are still in a race with the infection rate and other important measures,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
“We have made remarkable progress, but we need to be vigilant and determined as we open up more sectors of our economy. Any increase in personal activity can have consequences if we don’t do it right.
“In the meantime, I urge all eligible New Yorkers who have not yet been vaccinated to sign up for an appointment immediately and return for the second dose, if necessary.”