March 19, 2021 – Bronx, NY -A state-run mass vaccination site opens at the Bay Eden Senior Center in the Bronx.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that more New York state residents will be able to get the vaccine with a new expansion on eligibility.
New Yorkers who are 30 and older can begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, March 30. And starting April 6, everyone 16 and older will be eligible for a vaccination in New York, bringing universal eligibility weeks earlier than President Biden’s goal of May 1.
So far, more than 2 million total COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered at New York state-run and FEMA-assisted mass vaccination sites.
Statewide, 30 percent of residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. So far 5,898,278 residents have received the first dose and 3,359,196 and counting have completed their vaccine series, bringing the overall total over 9 million vaccines distributed throughout the state.
“Today we take a monumental step forward in the fight to beat COVID. Beginning March 30, all New Yorkers age 30 or older will be able to be vaccinated, and all New Yorkers age 16 or older will be eligible on April 6, well ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the White House,” Cuomo said.
New York’s distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government.
“As we continue to expand eligibility, New York will double down on making the vaccine accessible for every community to ensure equity, particularly for communities of color who are too often left behind,” Cuomo said Monday. “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there it is more important than ever for each and every New Yorker to wear a mask, socially distance and follow all safety guidelines.”
Due to limited supply, Gov. Cuomo is asking people to remain patient and not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
The state Health Department’s “Am I Eligible” screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks.
