By Sasha Gonzales
[email protected]
New Yorkers with a range of pre-existing health issues will be eligible to receive the coveted COVID-19 vaccine beginning Feb. 15, state officials announced this week.
The state released a list of “comorbidities” and conditions that scientific evidence shows increases the risk of serious illness and death among people infected with the coronavirus.
New Yorkers of any age suffering from any of the following comorbidities will qualify for the shot:
- Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 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 from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, 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)
- Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
- Liver disease
The state has not said whether those seeking vaccination will have to provide proof of their comorbidities, or what sort of proof might suffice.