New York pharmacies can now offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone with an underlying condition, health officials say.
The state Department of Health said that as of March 17, pharmacies were “authorized to vaccinate people with underlying comorbidities or conditions.”
Previously, pharmacies were limited to administering vaccines to people 60 and older, school employees, and child care workers.
However, other currently eligible groups, such as food industry workers, taxi and rideshare drivers, and first responders, cannot sign up for the jab at pharmacies.
The expanded eligibility at pharmacies is because more than 7.5 million doses of vaccines have been administered in the state, with at least 3.4 million delivered in the Big Apple so far.
“As we pass another vaccine milestone in our ongoing war against COVID, we must remember that we are still in a race on foot with infection rate and other important metrics,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
“We have made remarkable progress, but we must be vigilant and determined as we open up more sectors of our economy. Any increase in face-to-face 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 to return for their second dose if necessary.”