11 Harlem Pharmacies Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To New Groups

HARLEM, NY — Pharmacies in Harlem and across the state can now give COVID-19 vaccinations to all New Yorkers eligible due to a pre-existing condition, not only their age, following a policy change by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday.

The expansion to include people with underlying conditions opened up thousands of appointments at New York City pharmacies, which could previously only vaccinate residents age 60 or older, or people who worked in schools or childcare settings.

As of Tuesday, pharmacies can also vaccinate New Yorkers over the age of 50, all of whom are now eligible for the vaccine.

Many sites are fully booked up, but new appointments are posted frequently on the city's vaccine finder, and on volunteer-run sites like TurboVax.

Here are the pharmacies in Harlem offering the vaccine:

Central/West Harlem:

• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 568 West 125th St. (Near Broadway)
• Rite Aid at 35-45 West 125th St.
• Rite Aid at 2170 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (at West 117th Street)
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 3387 Broadway (at West 137th Street)
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 320 West 145th St.
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 300 West 135th St.
• Rite Aid at 3539 Broadway (at West 145th Street)

East Harlem:

• Rite Aid at 1849 Second Ave. (at East 96th Street)
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 1490 Madison Ave. (at East 102nd Street)
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 1915 Third Ave. (at East 106th Street)
• COSTCO Pharmacy at 517 East 117th St.
• Walgreens/Duane Reade at 135 East 125th St.

Parts of Harlem remain less vaccinated than other nearby neighborhoods, despite being one of the hardest-hit areas of Manhattan by COVID-19.

New Yorkers with comorbidities or underlying health conditions can use a doctor's letter, medical information evidence, or a signed certification to show they are eligible.

Here are the following conditions that merit eligibility for the vaccine.

• 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

Book vaccine appointments online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

Patch reporter Gus Saltonstall contributed.