New Yorkers over 16 years old can sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations starting Tuesday, a major expansion of eligibility as the state seeks to immunize as many people as possible. NBC New York’s Erica Byfield reports.
Nearly 16 million people are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in New York.
With Gov. Andrew Cuomo opening up eligibility Tuesday to all New Yorkers age 16 and older, yet another surge of people are trying to schedule shots.
With the exception of pharmacies, all vaccine providers are permitted to vaccinate any eligible New Yorker. Pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid can serve teachers, residents age 60 and older and people with underlying conditions.
With more than 2,600 pharmacies in the state, scheduling an appointment at a local pharmacy may be the most convenient path to vaccination for many.
So, how do you schedule an appointment and which vaccine may be available when you go? Here’s what you need to know.
Walgreens
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How do I schedule an appointment at Walgreens?
Local
Eligible residents who want to be vaccinated at Walgreens can schedule an appointment online or by calling 1-800-925-4733. The company says vaccinations are now offered at select pharmacies but are expected to be available at more than 9,000 locations in the spring as eligibility expansion continues.
Which vaccine does Walgreens have?
Walgreens health experts say they have been receiving weekly allotments of the FDA-approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. They also expect to begin receiving and administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March.
CVS Pharmacy
How do I schedule an appointment at CVS?
New Yorkers wanting to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated at CVS can do so online. The pharmacy says availability can change quickly based on high demand, but its online portal is updated frequently to reflect any possible openings.
Which vaccine does CVS Pharmacy have?
CVS Pharmacy currently offers all three FDA-approved vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The pharmacy says that patients are able to see which vaccine is available at specific locations before scheduling an appointment.
Rite Aid
How do I schedule an appointment at Rite Aid?
Vaccination appointments for Rite Aid can only be made on its website. Two appointment portals have been set up for vaccinations, one for New York state and another for New York City.
The pharmacy says appointments cannot be made by calling local pharmacies.
Which vaccine does Rite Aid have?
Rite Aid says it offers both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with only one being available at each pharmacy. New Yorkers seeking to be vaccinated will not have the option to pick which vaccine they receive.
Other Pharmacies
The previous pharmacy chains - Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid - can also be found through vaccinefinder.org, as well as a number of smaller, independent pharmacies. The site's search portal uses your zip code to locate the nearest pharmacy locations with available vaccine.
