What you need to know:

As of September 24, 2021, eligible New Yorkers can receive their COVID-19 booster dose. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are free and widely available statewide for eligible New Yorkers.  Currently, booster doses are only available to those who meet the eligibility criteria AND received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their initial vaccine series at least six months ago.

Eligibility 

At this time and in accordance with CDC guidance, the following groups of New Yorkers should receive their COVID-19 booster vaccine dose:

• New Yorkers 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
• New Yorkers aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
   

The following groups of New Yorkers may receive their COVID-19 booster vaccine dose:

• New Yorkers aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
• New Yorkers aged 18–64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
   

Please note that at this time, booster doses are only available to individuals that received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine as their primary vaccine series. Individuals who received Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine should not seek a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Scheduling:

How to Schedule Your Booster Dose: 

• Free booster doses are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across New York State.
• All of New York State’s mass vaccination sites are currently offering the COVID-19 booster dose to eligible New Yorkers. Visit Am I ELIGIBLE tool to schedule an appointment at a State-operated vaccination site. Walk-in appointments for booster doses are accepted at New York State sites for all eligible individuals.
• To find a nearby provider, search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
• You can also contact your local pharmacy or provider to see if they are administering booster doses.
• In order to prove eligibility, eligible New Yorkers are required provide written self-attestation confirming eligibility, which providers must collect.

Source: New York State DOH