Major changes came to the COVID-19 eligibility in New York Monday, with all New Yorkers ages 16 and older getting the chance to get vaccinated by next week.

Beginning Tuesday, anyone age 30+ can get a dose of the vaccine, and it opens to all those 16 and over April 6.

Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of infectious diseases for Northwell Health, says opening up the eligibility to everyone is important right now for two key reasons.

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"One is the lack of mitigation that's being eased up in many locations including New York. And the variants that are dramatically increasing in the New York area," he says.

While the vaccine supply may not catch up to demand immediately, Farber says it's important that everyone has their chance at putting an end to the pandemic.

"I feel like there's a lot of people looking and waiting for the vaccines and trying to find facilities to get the vaccine," says Monique Williams, of Central Islip.

According to the state, more than 9 million doses of the vaccine have been administered so far.

At this point, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for people 16+, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's are allowed for those 18+.