New York, Tennessee, West Virginia and Arizona announced on Monday expansions to eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine, lowering the minimum age for people to receive vaccines.
New Yorkers 50 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
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“We continue to accelerate vaccinations statewide by expanding eligibility, establishing new vaccination sites and allowing health care providers to reach new populations,” said Cuomo.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee (R) announced that adults 55 and older, in addition to those working in critical infrastructure industries, are now officially eligible for a vaccine.
Lee also said all state residents aged 16 and older can receive a vaccine from April 5.
“And here’s the big news: by April 5, every Tennessean age 16 and older will be eligible for the vaccine,” he said in a video statement. “The federal government has asked us to ensure that every adult can have access by May 1, and Tennessee will exceed that deadline.”
All persons 16 and older in West Virginia are now also eligible for the vaccine, Government Jim Justice (R) announced.
West Virginia became the third state on Monday to open up COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults Alaska and Mississippi, The New York Times noted.
And all individuals 16 and older in Arizona are eligible to receive vaccines at state-operated vaccination sites in Maricopa, Pima and Yuma counties starting Wednesday. Doug Ducey
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“Our goal was and remains to get the vaccine into the community as quickly, widely and fairly as possible,” Ducey said in a statement. “Given a thorough review of vaccine data, anticipated vaccine supply and current demand among priority groups, now is the time to take this critical next step.”
The governors’ announcements come as states rush to meet President Biden’s goal of opening vaccinations to all adults by May 1, in the hope that if this goal is achieved, the country can create an appearance of normalcy by July 4 to experience.
“I announce that I will lead all states, tribes and territories to make all adults, people 18 and older, eligible for vaccination by May 1,” Biden said in a speech to the nation earlier this month.
“And let me be clear, that doesn’t mean everyone will get that injection right away, but it means you can get in line from May 1st. Any adult is eligible for an injection.”