STATES ISLAND, NY – The state has expanded the group of people eligible for a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from February 15 to those who are eligible for certain conditions.
Ninety-four percent of COVID-19 deaths across the country were people with underlying diseases and illnesses.
The doses of vaccines, which were scarce in the city and state, come from local hospitals that no longer need to vaccinate staff members – those who are in group 1a of the state’s vaccination plan.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday that hospitals have until February 15 to vaccinate all staff members, or that their stock will be re-allocated to the local health department’s vaccination sites to administer it.
Cuomo’s office has released the following list of associated comorbidities that carry the risk of serious diseases from 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, immunodeficiency, HIV, corticosteroid use, use of other immunosuppressive drugs or other causes
- Severe obesity (body mass index of 40 kg / m2) and obesity (body mass index of 30 kg / m2 or higher but less than 40 kg / m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Cerebrovascular disease, which affects the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain
- Neurological conditions, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Liver disease
“New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions exist throughout the state’s population – they are our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who keep us safe every day and a population that is greatly affected,” Cuomo said.
The list of comorbidities issued by the state is almost identical to the list issued by the Centers for Disease Control only at the end of December, but so far they have not been able to vaccinate.
Those with the above comorbidities could start making appointments for Feb. 15, Cuomo said. As of Saturday afternoon, the city and state websites do not yet reflect the updated information.
Last week, the city also expanded its list of vaccine admissions after it received state approval to include restaurant workers, rental managers and residents and workers living in a group home for people with developmental disabilities.
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