New York State published a list of underlying comorbidities and health conditions to determine 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 beginning Feb. 15, as the following conditions present an 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 cancers related to 11/11)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Lung disease, which includes, among others, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11-related lung 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 status (weakened immune system), including, but not limited to, transplantation of solid organs or transplantation of blood or bone marrow, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other drugs to weaken immunity or other causes
- Severe obesity (BMI 40 kg / m2), obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg / m2 or more but <40 kg / m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle disease or thalassemia
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Neurological conditions that include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Liver disease
The list may change as scientific evidence is published and as the state obtains and analyzes additional New York-specific data.
“There are New Yorkers with comorbidities and conditions underlying the entire population of the state: they are our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who keep us safe every day and they are a very affected population,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement.
“We are committed to vaccinating the most affected vulnerable populations as we distribute a strictly limited supply of vaccines and people with comorbidities account for 94% of the state’s COVID deaths. 15 and give hospitals the chance to use additional doses they have to deal with this population.Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change as they have to prepare now, ”the governor’s statement said.