Governor Hochul urges New Yorkers, especially those at high-risk of severe illness, to get latest COVID vaccine
ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the new COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season is now available in New York State.
The Governor encouraged all eligible New Yorkers, especially those who are 65 and older, are at risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, to get the vaccine as students return to school, and ahead of the respiratory illness season.
The Governor and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald also announced the Commissioner’s standing order allowing all eligible New Yorkers to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine at any pharmacy in New York State without a prescription from their individual health care provider.
“As in years’ past, we’re putting health first and making it easy for all eligible New Yorkers to get the new vaccine at any pharmacy statewide,” the Governor said.
“Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective protection against being admitted to a hospital or suffering from Long COVID, so I'm once again encouraging all those eligible to prioritize their health and get vaccinated," said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
"As we enter the fall season, when respiratory viruses circulate, New Yorkers should get the vaccine to protect themselves from COVID-19 so they can risk less and live well.”
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are now available following the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday that the vaccines are being shipped to health care providers and pharmacies.
Major retail pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, are now taking appointments and some locations may accept walk-ins.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the 2024-2025 COVIVD-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months to protect against potentially serious illness from COVID-19.
Recommended dosages and the schedule vary depending on age, immune status and COVID-19 vaccine history.
The flu, RSV and COVID-19 are contagious, respiratory viral infections that can have similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between the three illnesses.
People with chronic conditions, including those that affect the lungs and heart, young children, elderly populations and pregnant people, have a higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
