Explainer: Who qualifies to get COVID-19 vaccine and where do you go to get one?

The vaccine rollout across the nation has seen its challenges. In New York state, knowing who's eligible and where to get a vaccine can be confusing as well.

News 12 Staff

Jan 28, 2021, 11:00 PM

Updated 1,344 days ago

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Vaccine requirements can be hard to follow -- so who qualifies to get a shot, and where are they able to go to get one?
The vaccine rollout across the nation has seen its challenges. In New York state, knowing who's eligible and where to get a vaccine can be confusing as well.
Northwell Health's Dr. Matthew Harris says New York is currently restricting vaccine distribution to people in groups 1A and 1B who are New York state residents or work in New York. That includes health care workers, first responders, certain essential front-line workers and New Yorkers 65 years old and over.
Harris says hospitals are in charge of vaccinating health care workers, county Health Departments are in charge of essential workers and first responders, and state vaccination sites, pharmacies and community pods handle those 65+.
Harris says New York residents can cross county lines to get vaccinated, but now New York City is starting to restrict its own community distribution pods to only its residents.
There has been some opposition on Long Island to New York City's restrictions, since city residents can come to Long Island distribution points. Gov. Andrew Cuomo admitted some New Yorkers are traveling across the state to get vaccine appointments but floated the idea that he'd be OK with limiting some state-run distribution sites to just those near them.
To determine if you're eligible for a vaccine now and how to get a shot, New York state has created a website to walk you through the process.