No, currently there is a network of NYS-run sites distributing the vaccine and one must qualify through the site https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/  to schedule an appointment. You can also call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). 

Vaccines may also available at pharmacies, hospitals and through local health departments – please contact the provider of your choice to schedule a vaccine appointment.

United Way’s 211 Helpline provides information to the public and helps refer individuals to resources.

As of February 15th, individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. The list is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as New York State obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data. Adults over the age of 16 with the following conditions due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19 are 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);
• 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;
• Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2);
• Pregnancy;
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia;
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain);
• Neurologic conditions, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia; and
• Liver disease.
Priority Groups Continuing to Be Eligible:
• Healthcare Workers
o High-risk hospital and FQHC staff, including OMH psychiatric centers.
o Health care or other high-risk essential staff who come into contact with residents/patients working in LTCFs and long-term, congregate settings overseen by OPWDD, OMH, OCFS and OASAS, and residents in congregate living situations, run by the OPWDD, OMH, OCFS and OASAS.
o Staff of urgent care provider.
o Staff who administer COVID-19 vaccine.
o All Outpatient/Ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff),
o This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who work in private medical practices; hospital-affiliated medical practices; public health clinics; specialty medical practices of all types; dental practices of all types; dialysis workers; diagnostic and treatment centers; occupational therapists; physical therapists; speech therapists; phlebotomists and blood workers; behavioral health workers; midwives and doulas; and student health workers.
o All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, handling COVID-19 specimens and COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Certified NYS EMS provider, including but not limited to Certified First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician – Critical Care, Paramedic, Ambulance Emergency Vehicle Operator, or Non-Certified Ambulance Assistant.
• County Coroner or Medical Examiner, or employer or contractor thereof who is exposed to infectious material or bodily fluids.
• Licensed funeral director, or owner, operator, employee, or contractor of a funeral firm licensed and registered in New York State, who is exposed to infectious material or bodily fluids.
• Home care workers and aides, hospice workers, personal care aides, and consumer-directed personal care workers.
• Staff and residents of nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and adult care facilities.
• New York residents age 65 and older1
• First Responder or Support Staff for First Responder Agency
o Fire State Fire Service, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer)
o Local Fire Service, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer)
o Police and Investigations
o State Police, including Troopers
o State Park Police, DEC Police, Forest Rangers
o SUNY Police
o Sheriffs’ Offices
o County Police Departments and Police Districts
o City, Town, and Village Police Departments
o Transit of other Public Authority Police Departments
o State Field Investigations, including DMV, SCOC, Justice Center, DFS, IG, Tax, OCFS, SLA
o Public Safety Communications
o Emergency Communication and PSAP Personnel, including dispatchers and technicians
o Other Sworn and Civilian Personnel
o Court Officer
o Other Police or Peace Officer
o Support or Civilian Staff for Any of the Above Services, Agencies, or Facilities
• Corrections
o State DOCCS Personnel, including correction and parole officers
o Local Correctional Facilities, including correction officers
o Local Probation Departments, including probation officers
o State Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities
o Local Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities
1 Pharmacies are vaccinating only individuals from this population.
• P-12 Schools
o P-12 school (public or non-public) or school district faculty or staff (includes all teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff, and support staff including bus drivers)
o Contractor working in a P-12 school (public or non-public) or school district (including contracted bus drivers)
o Licensed, registered, approved or legally exempt group childcare
• In-Person College Faculty and Instructors
• Employees or Support Staff of Licensed, Registered, Approved or Legally Exempt Group Childcare Settings
• Licensed, Registered, approved or legally exempt group Childcare Provider
• Public Transit
o Airline and airport employee
o Passenger railroad employee
o Subway and mass transit employee (i.e., MTA, LIRR, Metro North, NYC Transit, Upstate transit)
o Ferry employee
o Port Authority employee
o Public bus employee
o Public Facing Grocery Store Workers, including convenience stores and bodegas
o Incarcerated individuals age 65+ or those with comorbidities or underlying conditions.
o Individual living in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared with individuals and families who are not part of your household.
o Individual working (paid or unpaid) in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared by individuals and families who are not part of the same household, in a position where there is potential for interaction with shelter residents.
o Restaurant employees,
o Restaurant delivery workers, and
o For-hire vehicle drivers, including taxi, livery, black car, and transportation network company drivers

The entire community vaccine process is expected to take months to complete.  To keep track of which phases are open for vaccine availability and who is eligible in each phase, please use this link to the state’s website or call The New York State Vaccination Hotline 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). 

Currently, the only state-run vaccine site in the Hudson Valley is at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED. IF YOU VISIT A LOCATION WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A VACCINE.

Other sites in the surrounding areas are at the Javits Center in Manhattan, Jones Beach in Wantagh, Aquaduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, and SUNY Albany in Albany. 

The CDC also issued guidelines that outline a phased approach to the distribution of the vaccine.  In addition, the vaccine is being shipped on a regular basis to the states which are then distributing it under their own programs.  All of these factors play into when an individual will become eligible to get the vaccine. 

New York State has established a task force comprised of experts in public health, immunizations, government operations, data, and other fields relevant to vaccine distribution and administration, to advise the setup and operation of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination program.  Under the plan, the state has been divided into 10 regional deployment HUBs. As the Mid-Hudson region HUB, WMCHealth is sharing vaccine-related information with the community.

Once you have successfully scheduled an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email that contains a barcode. You will need to bring this to your appointment.

Once you have a confirmed appointment, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form should be filled out online and you will receive a submission ID indicating completion. You will need to bring the submission ID to your appointment. If you cannot submit the form online, it will be available at the vaccination sites.

Depending on your eligibility category, proof can include an 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 your appointment, you’ll be asked a series of clinical questions to ensure readiness for a vaccine. You will be asked for insurance information BUT the vaccine is free and there will never be a charge to you. This information is for administrative use only.

Your second dose appointment will be scheduled automatically when you receive your first vaccine dose. Your second appointment will be scheduled for the same time and at the same location, three weeks following your first dose. You will receive a card onsite with the date and time indicated and a confirmation email will follow a few days later. Please keep in mind when scheduling your first appointment that your second appointment will occur at the same time of day.