New York State has released a list of underlying comorbidities and health conditions to determine eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
New Yorkers of any age who have one of the comorbidities on the list will be eligible for the vaccine beginning Feb. 15, given that the following conditions are at increased risk for moderate to severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19. The conditions are:
- Cancer (current or remission, including 9/11 related cancers)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Lung disease, including, but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung disease related to 9/11
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome
- Heart disease, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or hypertension (hypertension)
- Immunocompromised condition (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)
- Task
- Sickle disease or Thalassemia
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Neurological conditions, including but 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.
“New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions exist in 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 an extremely affected population,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. in a statement.
“We are committed to vaccinating the most vulnerable vulnerable populations, as we distribute a strictly limited amount of vaccines, and people with comorbidities account for 94% of the state’s COVID deaths. Therefore, we will open the eligibility for people with comorbidities from February 15 and offer hospitals the opportunity to use the additional doses they have to address this population. Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change – they must prepare now, “the governor said.