As of mid-January 2021, over 7 million New Yorkers are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, but the state only receives 300,000 doses per week. Due to necessary rationing, vaccination appointments have largely filled up for the coming 14 weeks.
Below is a quick overview of resources relating to the vaccine in New York State and where to go to learn more. For a comprehensive overview, visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
Who is eligible to receive the vaccine?
Presently, all New Yorkers age 65 and older, or under age 65 but in one or more eligible categories (such as healthcare workers, grocery clerks, and childcare workers), are eligible to receive the vaccine.
To determine your eligibility to receive the COVID vaccine, visit the “Am I Eligible” website. If you are eligible to receive the vaccine, the site will also allow you to find a nearby vaccination station and make an appointment to receive the vaccine.
I am eligible to receive the vaccine! Where can I go to receive the vaccine and how do I make an appointment?
The “Am I Eligible” website will screen your eligibility and allow you to find a nearby vaccination station and make an appointment to receive the vaccine.
You can also call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline from 7am-10pm, 7 days a week: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX for information on eligibility and to schedule vaccination appointments. (For now, all vaccinations require an appointment.)
Where can I go for updates or additional information?
- New York State advises contacting local health departments, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and hospitals to be alerted in the event they become vaccination sites.
- Senator Todd Kaminsky’s office has been providing sporadic updates through Facebook on state eligibility guidelines and local vaccination site information – follow Senator Kaminsky on Facebook to see these updates when they are posted.
- Sign up here receive NYS email updates regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Check out the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions for additional information regarding the vaccines’ development, safety and efficacy, and availability.
We do not yet know whether vaccinated persons might still act as carriers—that is, be able to transmit the virus to others. Accordingly, all persons, vaccinated and non-vaccinated, are advised to continue to adhere to masking and social distancing guidelines.