COVID Vaccine To Open To NYers 60 And Older, Cuomo Says

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers 60 years and older will be able to start making appointments for the coronavirus vaccine this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.

The age threshold for those eligible for the vaccine in New York will drop from 65 years to 60 years old starting 8 a.m. Wednesday, Cuomo said during a press conference at a Syracuse vaccine center.

"That means people as old as I am now will be eligible for the vaccine," the 63-year-old governor joked.

Cuomo also announced more changes to eligibility that will be coming later this month.

Starting March 17, next Wednesday, public-facing public, nonprofit and building workers will be eligible for the vaccine, Cuomo said.

"These are the people who are the everyday heroes, who are out there doing their job," Cuomo said.

The list includes public works employees, social service and child service caseworkers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, County Clerks, building service workers and election workers, according to the governor's office.

Also next Wednesday, all vaccine sites in the state will be allowed to vaccinate anyone who is eligible, despite their status as a city-run, county-run or state-run site. Certain vaccine sites were previously limited based on geography or specific categories of eligibility.

The one exception to that rule will be pharmacies, who will be able to vaccine those 60 years and older and teachers. Pharmacies have less capability to identify underlying conditions and certain types of workers, Cuomo said.

To check eligibility or find a vaccine site, check the state's vaccine page or call the New York State COVID-19 hotline at 833-NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829).