CDC/NY Updates Vaccine Policy Opens Eligibility to 65 and Up

CDC/NY Updates Vaccine Policy Opens Eligibility to 65 and Up: In an about face the US Center for Disease Controls has updated its recommendation and now includes seniors, 65 years and older, on their list of groups eligible to receive the new Coronavirus vaccines. The New York State Department of Health immediately adopted the new guidance.

Previously, CDC guidelines stipulated that only seniors 75 and up and essential workers in education, first responders, EMS workers, public transit workers and public safety workers would be added in Phase 1b to health care workers who were eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1a. Several states including Texas, Florida, Ohio and Delaware had previously opened their vaccine eligibility guidelines to seniors 65 despite the CDC’s original guidance.

Under the new phase guidelines approximately 7 million additional New Yorkers will now be eligible. The New York State Health Department expects to receive 300,000 doses per week and cautions that appointments can take up to 14 weeks.

Enrollment is now live on the New York State Department of Health website covid19.vaccine.health.ny.gov. The first step is to check your eligibility, which you can skip ahead to here. All you need is your name, address, date of birth and email address or text number. The site will instantly determine your eligibility and you can click through to find a list of providers. You will then have to call to make an appointment at one of the vaccine locations listed. For Caremount patients who prefer to get your vaccine with them please note: In a recorded message on Tuesday, January 12 Caremount Medical in Mt. Kisco advises that once you have registered on the NYS Department of Health’s website you do not have to call Caremount to schedule an appointment. They will notify you via the phone or email address they have in their system when they have a vaccine for you.

At 4 p.m. Monday, NYDOH opened a vaccination hotline to schedule appointments at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).