ALBANY, N.Y. — On Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new groups to be added to COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.
This first round of vaccinations, known as "Phase 1A" primarily consists of those who are at highest risk for the virus or severe disease from it, such as nursing home residents and healthcare workers.
Up until January 4, residents and staff of long term and congregate care facilities, high-risk hospital workers who see COVID-19 patients, funeral home employees, urgent care provides, vaccine administrators, and EMS workers have been eligible for the vaccine.
Now, as of January 4, regardless of age, any public-facing nurse, doctor, or healthcare worker who provides in-person services can receive the vaccine. This includes intake staff, and those who administer COVID-19 tests or handle COVID-19 tests.
The state says, on its website, that this includes but isn't limited to:
- Doctors who work in private medical practices and their staff
- Doctors who work in hospital-affiliated medical practices and their staff
- Doctors who work in public health clinics and their staff
- Registered Nurses
- Specialty medical practices of all types
- Dentists and Orthodontists and their staff
- Psychiatrists and Psychologists and their staff
- Physical Therapists and their staff
- Optometrists and their staff
- Pharmacists and Pharmacy Aides
Additionally, starting January 11, three more groups will become eligible for vaccination. These groups include home care workers, hospice workers, and the staff of nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities who did not get vaccinated under the federal pharmacy partnership program.
