ALBANY, N.Y. — New York is expanding COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to anyone over 50 years of age beginning this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.
The state will drop the age requirement from 60 to 50 on Tuesday as vaccine production and distribution ramp up, the governor said.
“Tomorrow morning 50 and above, make your appointment and get your vaccine,” Cuomo said during an appearance at Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. “We are now in a new season. We are in the season of the spring, and the spring says it’s a time for renewal, rebirth and you can feel it in the air.”
The event mirrored several appearances the governor has made in recent weeks as multiple women have come forward to accuse him of sexual harassment. The events, closed to members of the press, have had the air of campaign stops as the embattled governor surrounds himself with supporters amid growing calls for his resignation.
Cuomo, accused of groping a current staffer under her blouse, has denied ever touching anyone inappropriately and claims he didn’t know his past actions and comments made others uncomfortable.
The governor publicly received a single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot last week at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem, among 140 new “pop-up centers” for vaccinations in Black and Hispanic communities.
The Rev. Al Sharpton joined Cuomo via video to encourage African American New Yorkers to get vaccinated.
Officials are asking houses of worship to partner up with local health organizations to become vaccine centers.
Over the weekend, the governor announced pharmacies can now vaccinate people with underlying health conditions in New York. Previously, pharmacies were restricted to seniors and teachers.
