Governor Cuomo announces list of comorbidities and underlying conditions eligible for COVID-19 vaccine from 15 February

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that the state of New York will use to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers who have one of the carriers on the list will be eligible for the vaccine from February 15th.

“New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions exist in the entire population of the state – they are our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who keep us safe every day, and they are a population that is greatly affected,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are committed to vaccinating vulnerable populations that have suffered the most because we distribute a strictly limited amount of vaccines, and people with comorbidity account for 94 percent of COVID deaths in the state. Therefore, from February we will be eligible ‘come for people with comorbidities 15 and hospitals offer the opportunity to use extra doses to address the population. Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change – they need to get ready now.’

The full list of comorbidities and underlying conditions is available below. The list may change as additional scientific evidence is published and as the state of New York obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data.

Adults of any age with the following conditions due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death due to the virus causing COVID-19:

• Cancer (currently or under remission, including 9/11 related cancers)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Lung disease, including but not limited to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and 9/11 related lung diseases
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Immuno-compromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplantation or blood or bone marrow transplantation, immune deficiency, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immunosuppressive drugs, or other causes
• Severe obesity (BMI 40 kg / m2), obesity (body mass index) [BMI] of 30 kg / m2 or higher, but <40 kg / m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Neurological conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
• Liver disease