The Essex County Health Department (ECHD) is ready to scale up its vaccine distribution operations to include those with comorbidities and underlying health conditions. New Yorkers with these conditions are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning February 15, according to an announcement made by Governor Cuomo last week.
Anyone 18 years of age and older with the following conditions putting them at increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from COVID-19 infection is eligible:
· 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)