Pharmacies in New York 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 individuals with co-morbidity or underlying conditions.”
Previously, pharmacies were limited to administering the shots to people over 60, school staff and child carers.
Still, other currently eligible groups, such as food industry workers, taxi drivers and drivers, and first responders, are not allowed to sign up for the injection at the pharmacy.
The greater suitability at pharmacies is because more than 7.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state – with at least 3.4 million in the Big Apple so far.
“Now that we have reached another milestone with vaccinations in our ongoing war against COVID, we should not forget that we are still in a running race with infection rates and other important statistics,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
“We have made remarkable progress, but we must remain vigilant and determined as we open more sectors of our economy. Any increase in personal activity can have consequences if we don’t do it right.
“In the meantime, I urge all eligible New Yorkers who have yet to be vaccinated to sign up for an appointment right away and come back for their second dose if needed.”