New York, Tennessee, West Virginia and Arizona on Monday announced expansions of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility requirements, reducing the minimum age for people to receive vaccines.
New Yorkers aged 50 and over will be eligible to receive a vaccine from Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Andrew CuomoTom Reed apologizes for allegations of sexual misconduct, does not run for office Ambitious House legislators seek promotions New challenges arise for Biden after a strong start MORE (D) announced in a statement.
“We continue to accelerate vaccinations across the state, expanding eligibility, establishing new vaccination sites and allowing providers to reach new populations,” said Cuomo.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee (R) announced that adults 55 and older, in addition to people working in critical infrastructure industries, are now officially qualified to receive a vaccine.
Lee also said that all residents of the state aged 16 or older will be able to receive the vaccine from April 5.
“And here’s the big news: by April 5, every Tennessean aged 16 or over will be eligible to receive the vaccine,” he said in a video statement. “The federal government asked us to ensure that all adults have access by May 1, and Tennessee will meet that deadline.”
All individuals aged 16 and over in West Virginia are also eligible to receive the vaccine, announced Governor Jim Justice (R).
West Virginia became on Monday the third state to open the COVID-19 vaccination to all adults, adhering to Alaska and Mississippi, noted The New York Times.
And all individuals aged 16 and over in Arizona will be eligible to receive vaccines at state-operated inoculation sites in Maricopa, Pima and Yuma counties starting Wednesday, Gov. Doug Ducey
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“Our goal was and remains to get the vaccine to the community as quickly, widely and equitably as possible,” said Ducey in a statement. “Given a complete review of vaccination data, early vaccine supply and current demand among prioritized groups, now is the time to take this next critical step.”
The governors’ announcements come as states rush to meet President Biden’s goal of opening vaccination to all adults by May 1, with the hope that, if that goal is reached, the country will be able to experience an appearance normal until the fourth of July.
“I am announcing that I will direct all states, tribes and territories to make all adults, people aged 18 and over, eligible to be vaccinated by May 1,” said Biden during a speech to the nation earlier this month.
“And let me be clear, it doesn’t mean that everyone will have that chance right away, but it does mean that you can get in line from May 1st.