COVID-19 Vaccine Part I: How and Where to Get the Vaccine in NYC

New York City has ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination efforts in recent weeks, with more groups becoming eligible for the vaccine and additional vaccination sites cropping up around the city. This is great news, but keeping up with the ever-changing stream of information can be a challenge. The below Q&A addresses commonly-asked questions about how and where you and your loved ones can get vaccinated in NYC.

Credit: Marco Verch, See Original Photo

What vaccines against COVID-19 are currently available?

There are currently two COVID-19 vaccines available to New Yorkers: the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Both require two shots, are 95% effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, and are very safe. These vaccines work by giving your body instructions to make a tiny piece of the COVID-19 virus, which teaches your immune system how to recognize and fight it.

On February 27, the FDA approved a third vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson (J&J). This vaccine requires just one shot, and uses a different techonology than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. It is 85% effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. New York City will begin offering the J&J vaccine at certain vaccination sites on Thursday, March 4.

The most common side effects of all vaccines include soreness where the shot is given, headaches and fatigue. Side effects are a normal sign of your body mounting an immune response — they do not signal that the vaccine is unsafe.

Who is currently eligible to be vaccinated in NYC?

• NEW as of March 1: Food bank/pantry workers and hotel workers
• NEW as of February 15: People with certain health conditions (see the full list of conditions that make you eligible here)
• Healthcare workers
• Group home residents (including nursing homes and homeless shelters)
• People over 65 years old
• Individuals living or working in correctional facilities
• First responders (firefighters, police officers, court personnel)
• Grocery store and restaurant workers
• Public transit and taxi drivers
• Teachers and childcare specialists

For more information about eligible groups, see here.

If I am not yet eligible, when will I become eligible?

Throughout March and April, New York State plans to expand vaccine eligibilty to other at-risk groups and essential workers. People under the age of 65 without chronic health conditions and who are not considered essential workers likely won’t become eligible until Summer 2021.

Can I get the vaccine if I am undocumented?

Yes. As long as you meet the current eligibility criteria, you can get the vaccine.

Will it cost money to get the vaccine?

No. The vaccine is free for everyone. You may be asked to provide your insurance information if you have it, but it is not required.

If I am currently eligible, where can I get a vaccine in NYC?

Vaccines are currently available at some hospitals, community clinics and pharmacies, and at NYC-run vaccination sites around the city. Many sites, including all city-run sites, require an appointment. Appointments are limited, so check back often if you do not see any available.

To find a vaccination site and make an appointment, here are a few options:

• Check out the city’s new & improved Vaccine Scheduler site, where you can schedule an appointment at sites around the city. The form is available in 10 languages.
• Visit the NYC Vaccine Finder where you can search for vaccination sites by zip code and make an appointment.
• NYC Homebound Residents: NYC residents who are fully homebound may be eligible for an in-home vaccination. Fill out the interest form here, or call (877) 829–4692.
• Bronx Residents Only: A mass vaccination site for Bronx residents opened at Yankee Stadium last month, and another site will open in Co-op City on Thursday, Mar 4. You can make an appointment at Yankee Stadium here, or call 1–833-SomosNY. To make an appointment at Co-op City, use the Vaccine Scheduler (also linked above).
• If you have a primary care doctor, you can reach out to them to see if they are able to administer the vaccine at your regular clinic.

How can I get help scheduling a vaccine appointment?

If you or someone you know needs assistance scheduling a vaccine appointment, check out the following services:

• Dose Amigos Vaccine Appointment Assistance: A group of health professional volunteers offering free help to select New Yorkers looking to schedule a vaccine appointment. For assistance, fill out their google form (you can also fill it out on behalf of someone else).
• 877-VAX-4NYC (877–829–4692): A city-run phone line to help you schedule a vaccine appointment at a city-run site. Dial the number above and press 1 when asked.
• Northern Manhattan, Harlem, and South Bronx Community COVID-19 Vaccination Scheduling Hotline: Assistance with vaccine appointment scheduling at Washington Heights Armory for individuals who live in eligible zip codes and are age 65 and over. The hotline is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and can be reached by dialing 646–838–0319 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eligible zip codes include: 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040, 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10459, 10460, 10461, 10462, 10463, 10464, 10465, 10472, 10473, and 10474.

Check out our next post, COVID-19 Vaccine Part II, to see questions submitted by Bronx residents that Dr. Chidi Akusobi answered on our recent episode of The Healthy Bronx Podcast: Vaccine Q&A with Dr. Chidi Akusobi. Listen to the episode for even more information about how the COVID-19 vaccines work, how they were developed, and what they mean for us going forward.

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