Everything You Need to Know About Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine in New York

Here's what you need to know about how to get vaccinated in New York.

By Melissa Wickes May 11, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination distribution in New York City and throughout New York State began Monday, Jan. 11. All vaccinations are free and are available to all New Yorkers ages 16+. Certain locations are now offering walk-ins.

Who can get vaccinated in New York?

All New Yorkers ages 16+ are eligible for the vaccine. The FDA just authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, which paves the way for camp this summer and the 2021-2022 school year.

Where can I get vaccinated in New York?

You can use this online tool to find a vaccination location and make your appointment. The COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline is also open for scheduling appointments at 1-888-NYS-4-VAX. Eligible groups in NYC can use the portal at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a location nearest them.

Once you confirm eligibility and make an appointment, you will need to fill out this New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. After you receive your first dose, a second shot will be needed 3-4 weeks after in order to protect you from the virus. You can learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated here.

When can children get vaccinated?

As of May 10, the FDA approved Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15. According to NPR, the vaccine elicited "100 percent efficacy and robust antibody responses" and no serious side effects in a trial including 2,260 participants between the ages 12-15. These results were said to be even better than early responses from participants ages 16-25.

The hope is "starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year." They will ask the regulators to expand authorizations for the vaccine to be used in young people.

In Pfizer's clinical trial, 18 adolescents in the placebo group developed COVID-19 and 0 in the vaccinated group did. Those in the vaccinated group showed a strong immune response one month after receipt of the second vaccine dose, according to test data released by Pfizer.

The companies are currently working toward testing the vaccine in children as young as six months. A group of kids ages 5-11 years old received their first shots for the first part of that study last week and a second group, ages 2-5, are slated to receive first doses next week.

Moderna is also testing its vaccine in adolescents, having announced a trial of approximately 3,000 participants ages 12-18 in December. Earlier this month, it administered the first vaccine dose to children six months old to 12 years old.

Johnson & Johnson is slated to test its vaccine on a small number of adolescents, with plans to expand pending safety.