Notice to Public

February 16, 2021

Update to Individuals with Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

On February 5^th Governor Cuomo announced a list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that New York State will use to determine eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers who have one of these conditions will be eligible for the vaccine beginning February 15^th. Franklin County Public Health Services and area providers are preparing for this expansion in vaccine distribution.

Adults of any age with the following conditions due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19 are eligible for the vaccine:

• 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)
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher) or Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus 
• Cerebrovascular disease (conditions affecting blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer's Disease or dementia
• Liver disease
• Diagnosis

Individuals who have one of these conditions will need to verify their eligibility by signing a personal attestation at https://www.franklincountyny.gov/Document_Center/Human%20Service/COVID-19/Eligibility_Attestation.pdf . 

Completing the attestation form is sufficient documentation in confirming eligibility. A doctor’s letter is not necessary. However, if individuals have questions about whether their diagnosis or medical condition qualifies as a co-morbid condition, they should contact their primary care provider to discuss this.

Vaccine and registration information can be found at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.

People can also call the state COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

Once an appointment is successfully scheduled, people will receive a confirmation email that contains a barcode. This is confirmation of your appointment. Once an appointment is confirmed, people must also complete the state COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form should be filled out online and brought to the appointment.

Individuals must bring proof of eligibility to the appointment. Depending on the eligibility category, proof can include an attestation, employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, a pay stub, a driver’s license, passport, or any legal proof of your date of birth and residency. At the time of the appointment, people will be asked a series of clinical questions to ensure readiness for a vaccine.

Second dose appointments will be scheduled automatically when people receive their first vaccine dose. The second appointment will be scheduled for the same time and at the same location, four weeks following the first dose of Moderna vaccine and three weeks following the first dose of Phizer vaccine. A vaccine record card will be provided onsite with the date and time indicated, and a confirmation email will follow a few days later. When scheduling the first appointment, people should keep in mind that their second appointment will occur at the same time of day.

To view more COVID-19 related news, please visit our COVID-19 Guidance page.