New York State has released a list of co-morbidities and underlying health conditions to determine your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
New Yorkers of any age who have any of the comorbidities on the list will be eligible for the vaccine starting February 15, as the following conditions are at increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19. The conditions are:
- Cancer (current or in 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 disorders, including Down syndrome
- Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune-weakening 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 disorders including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Liver disease
The list is subject to change as scientific evidence is published and as the state obtains and analyzes additional New York-specific data.
“New Yorkers with co-morbidities and underlying conditions exist throughout the population of the state – they are our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who protect us every day, and they are a badly affected population,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement.
“We are committed to vaccinating vulnerable populations who have suffered the most, as we distribute a strictly limited supply of vaccines, and people with co-morbidities are responsible for 94 percent of COVID deaths in the state. come for people with co-morbidities. 15 and allow hospitals to use additional doses they need to address that population. Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change – they need to prepare now, ” continued the governor’s statement.