Eligible vaccine recipient pool expands

NEW YORK STATE--While the COVID-19 vaccine supply is still very limited, a state ruling last week will allow New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions to make appointments at state-run vaccination sites beginning Feb. 15. Local health departments will determine their schedule as supply allows.
On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Yates County Public Health announced a limited vaccination clinic which was quickly filled. Additional updates will be available at https://www.yatescounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=195 and on their Facebook page.
As of Friday, Feb. 12, Schuyler County did not have any clinic dates yet, however updates will be available at http://www.schuylercounty.us/publichealth and on their Facebook page.
Pharmacies are still only able to vaccinate people 65 years and older at this time.
The comorbidities that can currently qualify vaccine eligibility to those 18 and older include:
• 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
Adults with an eligible comorbidity must fill out an attestation form in order to be vaccinated at a Yates County Public Health clinic. The form requires a person's name, the date, a checkmark by one of the current priority groups and a signature. The form can be found online at https://www.yatescounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/4355 or http://www.schuylercounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/9695/Certification-of-Membership-in-Priority-Vaccination-Group.