Coronavirus Vaccines Open To 60-64, High-Risk RIers Friday

PROVIDENCE, RI — Vaccine eligibility is opening to the next round of Rhode Islanders Friday, Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday afternoon. All Rhode Islanders aged 60 and older, as well anyone 16 to 64 with certain health conditions, will be able to make an appointment to get vaccinated.

"Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, and opening eligibility to this next group of Rhode Islanders is an important and encouraging step toward that goal," McKee said. "We will continue to build out and increase our state’s vaccination capacity to ensure we are prepared to get shots in arms when the vaccine supply increases."

New vaccine appointments will be added for the mass vaccination sites run by the Rhode Island Department of Health at 5 p.m. Friday. There are currently three sites: one at Sockonosset Cross Road in Cranston, another at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence and the newest on West Shore Road in Middletown.

Appointments are also available at certain CVS and Walgreens locations in the state. The two companies are expected to open availability to the new groups at 11 a.m. Friday, the Department of Health said.

Rhode Islanders aged 16 to 64 can get a vaccine if they have any of the following health conditions:

• Diabetes type I and II
• Lung disease such as COPD, emphysema or cystic fibrosis
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• People with a weakened immune system: cancer patients, people who get chemotherapy or radiation, those with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, those on medication that weakens the immune system and pregnant women.

A full list qualifying conditions is available on the department's website. Anyone aged 16 and 17 can only receive the Pfizer vaccine at this time, meaning it may be harder to get an appointment.

Rhode Islanders who are not yet eligible to make a vaccine can sign up to get notified by the department when they become eligible. This list is also being used at state-run sites to contact Rhode Islanders if they anticipate having extra doses in open vials at the end of the day. Priority is given to eligible individuals.

Read more:

• 'Where Benny's Used To Be': Middletown Vaccine Site Opens
• RI's Weekly Coronavirus News Conference Moved To Friday
• CVS Adds 4 Vaccination Sites Across Rhode Island
• Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Approved, Arrives In Rhode Island
• Vaccine Eligibility For High-Risk, 60-64 RIers Expected Mid-March