What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in New York State
Answers to frequently asked questions
The race to vaccinate New Yorkers against COVID-19 is underway. Here’s what we know about the vaccines and the state’s distribution plan. When did vaccinations begin?
On Dec. 14, the first doses of vaccines went to New York’s frontline health care workers. A Queens intensive care unit nurse named Sandra Lindsay is believed to be the first person in the United States who was inoculated against COVID -19. When can I get vaccinated?
The vaccine is being rolled out in five phases. The first members of the general public – those with underlying health conditions – could be vaccinated in late January, depending on when vaccines arrive in the state.
Currently, persons in phase one are eligible to be vaccinated. This includes health care workers, National Guard members helping with virus response, and nursing home staff and residents. Assisted living residents and staff are set to begin receiving COVID -19 vaccinations after nursing homes, in early 2021.
Phase two, which is expected to begin in late January, includes some essential workers and members of the general public with preexisting health conditions who are most at risk for severe cases of COVID -19, Gov. Cuomo said.
In phase three, people over 65 and people under 65 with some health conditions will be immunized. Then comes all other essential workers and lastly, healthy adults and children. Within these categories, people in geographic areas of high COVID -19 prevalence will be prioritized.
New York has not yet estimated when healthy members of the general public could get the vaccine.
How many vaccines will New York receive?
States will receive the percentage of total vaccinations at the same percentage as their population, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, but the total number depends on vaccine availability.
New York’s received 170,000 Pfizer vaccine doses – enough to vaccinate 85,000 people – in mid-december. The Capital Region will get 7,850, or a little less than 5 percent. Another batch of 346,000 doses is expected two weeks later from Moderna, another pharmaceutical company. Both vaccines require two doses, administered three weeks apart.
It’s expected to take several months, at least, to vaccinate everyone who is eligible in the state, as there are more than 19 million people who call New York home.
How many people need to be vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not yet know how many people would need to be vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID -19 in a community, but experts say about 75 to 85 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated or have natural antibodies. That could mean that over 14 million New Yorkers would need to be vaccinated.
Where will vaccinations take place?
The vaccine will be available at hospitals, large outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, mobile health units, Indian Health Services, long term care facilities and other federal sites, the White House has said. Pharmacies will play a crucial role in vaccinating individuals, too. The exact list of locations will depend on the providers who enroll for vaccine distribution.
The state and federal government will be overseeing distribution of the vaccine throughout the Capital Region and other areas of the state, though local officials for years have been planning for mass vaccine distributions as part of emergency planning procedures.
Which vaccine will be available?
That depends on where and when you get vaccinated. Two vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – have been approved for emergency use authorization from the FDA so far. Other vaccines that are still in development may also become available to the general public following the completion of successful large-scale clinical trials and FDA approval.
How much will it cost?
Gov. Cuomo says the vaccine will be free for all New Yorkers. Insurers have been told by the state to immediately cover any vaccine administration costs in full.
How many doses will I need?
Both Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines require two doses — roughly 21 to 28 days apart, depending on the type of vaccine. The second dose must be from the same company as the first.
The state’s COVID -19 call center, already in operation, has software in place to track intricate details of the vaccinations, including who has received it and the ability to notify individuals they must receive their second dosage.
Are there side effects? What are they?
Yes, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can cause some temporary side effects such as sore arm, fever and some flu-like symptoms. It’s a sign the immune system is revving up, able to recognize and fight back if the real virus comes along. Allergic reactions to vaccines are possible, though rare and short-lived, the Associated Press reports.
How long does vaccine immunity last?
It is not yet known how long either vaccine provides protection, as trials are still in progress.
Can I stop wearing a mask after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
No. You should still wear a mask and social distance for a couple reasons, according to the AP. First, the Fda-approved vaccines require two shots, administered a few weeks apart. Protection is not immediate and may take a couple of weeks after the second shot for full protection. It’s also still unclear whether the vaccines prevent asymptomatic spread of the disease. It is expected to take months for enough people to be vaccinated and for herd immunity – the point at which enough people are immune to a virus that person-to-person spread becomes unlikely – to be reached.
Credits: Amanda Fries, Edward Mckinley, Emilie Munson, Brendan J. Lyons
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, updated Jan. 22, 2021, 3:15 p.m.