Here's How To Get A Coronavirus Vaccine Shot In NYC

New York City NY

05 February, 2021

11:53 AM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — Coronavirus vaccine doses keep running low. Appointments keep getting rescheduled. Not all New Yorkers qualify for shots and those that do have to navigate an at-times confusing sign up process. But despite all those troubles, more than 900,000 doses went into arms in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly claimed that vaccine shipments — which bring roughly 100,000 doses into the city a week — fall woefully short of demand and the city's capacity to meet it. "We could be doing half-a-million a week," he said. "But, you know, we'll take every piece of progress we can get." There is some good news on the horizon — President Joe Biden's administration secured more doses and took steps to increase vaccine production; new categories of New Yorkers are eligible for shots and a vast network of distribution sites is primed to put needles into arms. Here's what you need to know to get a coronavirus vaccination in New York City. Am I eligible? Eligibility for vaccine doses is still narrow, but it covers more than 7 million people across the state and roughly 1 million in New York City. Speaking very broadly, the only New Yorkers eligible to get coronavirus vaccine are health care workers, nursing home residents, people 65 and older and certain essential workers. Those groups fall under the state's priority 1a and 1b categories. And more and more New Yorkers now fall under those groups, from restaurant workers to taxi drivers to grocery store employees. You can find the full list of eligible New Yorkers here. The state also offers an app to determine eligibility. OK, so I'm eligible, now what? Vaccine shots are appointment-only no matter where you get them. There are city-run sites, state-run sites, hospitals and more places offering doses. Perhaps easiest way to find one is to go to New York City's vaccine finder website. "Keep checking this site! New locations are added regularly!" the site states. The webpage may help New Yorkers find locations, but there's a significant caveat — each vaccine site manages its own schedules and appointments. What about the "mega sites"? De Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have promised vaccine "mega sites" will offer vast numbers of doses. But so far they're a mixed bag. A promised mega site at Citi Field in Queens has yet to get off the ground, so keep checking if you think that's the place to go. Javits Center in Manhattan is offering vaccinations but appointments quickly get gobbled up. Yankee Stadium in the Bronx opened Friday with great fanfare and long lines. The site is for Bronx residents only. Bronx residents who are eligible for the vaccine can make appointments by visiting Somosvaccinations.com or by calling 1-833-SomosNY. They're required to bring proof of Bronx residency to their appointments and can do so by showing one of the following: State or government-issued ID; Statement from landlord; Current rent receipt or lease; Mortgage records. Residents can also bring two of the following to show residency: Statement from another person; Current mail; School records.Again, those requirements are for Bronx residents getting doses at Yankee Stadium. But other state-run sites require verification steps. Verification? What second doses? New Yorkers must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form once they have a confirmed appointment. The form is available at distribution as well. Once the form is completed, people will receive a submission ID that should they'll need to bring to their appointment. Depending on a New Yorker's category, they'll need to bring proof of eligibility. 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, according to the state. Second dose appointments will be scheduled automatically when New Yorkers receive their first shot. It will be at the same location and three weeks after first dose. Will I have to pay? COVID-19 vaccines are free.