COVID has not gone away. And despite the fact that the health emergency was lifted several months ago, and the numbers of infections and deaths are currently far from the worst days of the pandemic, an increase in positive cases and especially hospitalizations, which in In recent days they have increased in the state by 34%, they have set off alarm bells, which is why health authorities insist on their call for New Yorkers to apply the new updated Pfizer & BioNTech vaccine.
City data reveal that 1,244 COVID infections are being recorded in the Big Apple every day, as well as 54 hospitalizations and 2 deaths, on average, with Staten Island and The Bronx being the counties that have seen the greatest increase in emergency admissions , with an increase of 4% and 5%, respectively.
The new vaccine, which has been being administered for almost two weeks in New York, is available to everyone, regardless of immigration status or health insurance.
This was reiterated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, after warning that the cost of the new dose is covered by most health insurance, including Medicaid, Medicare and most commercial health plans. Those who do not have any insurance plan or whose insurance does not cover the vaccine will be able to go completely free of charge to dozens of sites in the five boroughs and search for the closest one, through the Vaccine Finder site.
“COVID-19 vaccines will be available at community health centers, urgent care centers, provider offices, pharmacy chains, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade, and many independent pharmacies,” the company warned. municipal health agency. “You can also check with your local pharmacy to confirm if they offer the vaccines and if they vaccinate children and the age range they can serve.”
Pedro Frisneda, spokesperson for the Department of Health, explained how New Yorkers without health insurance can find places around the Big Apple to get the updated vaccine at no cost.
“People who do not have health insurance and want to get the new COVID vaccine can go to the website vaccinefinder.nyc.gov, there, where it says FIND LOCATION, they can put their zip code and on the right side there is a window where it says ‘Any insurance’, which they can choose, clicking on the arrow pointing down, where it says No Cost for Uninsured (Adults) or No Cost for Uninsured (Children) and the pharmacies and places where they can get the vaccine without having to show medical insurance will appear. “said the official.
The updated vaccine comes as several subvariants of the Omicron strain, such as XBB.1.5, responsible for the vast majority of circulating viruses, are rolling out, as is the new subvariant BA.2.86. A total of 18% of New Yorkers have already received the new bivalent vaccine.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, City Health Commissioner, emphasized his message that all New Yorkers who have not been vaccinated do so and those who have received previous doses protect themselves with the updated vaccine, because immunization is losing effect as the months go by.
“As COVID-19 changes, so does the vaccine formula, and this year’s edition will help protect us. “The vaccine saves lives, especially for people who are older, pregnant or have underlying health problems,” said the medical expert. “Even if COVID-19 is not life-threatening, vaccination can make the difference between a mild course of the disease and something much more unpleasant and serious.”
The Big Apple’s chief medical officer took the opportunity to ask New Yorkers, in addition to the COVID vaccine, to get the flu vaccine and against lung conditions, especially in the winter season.
“The vaccine works for all of us (…) This year we have all the tools we need to get through this respiratory virus season safe and sound,” said Vasan, noting that this will be the first fall viral season in which vaccines will be available for COVID-19, RSV and flu, which “are the conditions that typically keep our emergency rooms busy in the fall and winter.”
Mark Levine, Manhattan borough president, who in recent days has managed to keep the average number of COVID hospitalizations stable, also joined the call for those who do not have health insurance not to stop getting vaccinated.
“The Covid vaccine has been updated to protect against the new variants circulating and is now available. It’s especially important to get the updated vaccine because it’s not a booster — this version has been updated to target the current dominant COVID variants, similar to how flu vaccines are updated each year, and the previous year’s vaccine is not. protects,” said the political leader. “A new federal program called Bridge Access will cover all costs of your COVID-19 vaccine at most sites, regardless of insurance status. In addition, starting this Monday, September 25, each household can request 4 free at-home Covid tests from the federal government.”
Free vaccination sites and COVID facts in NYC
- People without health insurance can find places that offer the updated vaccine at no cost through the Vaccine Finder website: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder
- At this link you can find nearby vaccine sites: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/?mc_cid=7ae8c6cc09&mc_eid=e1f23bdf1f
- You can request at-home COVID tests on this website: https://www.covid.gov/tests?mc_cid=7ae8c6cc09&mc_eid=e1f23bdf1f
- 1,244 daily COVID infections are being recorded in the Big Apple
- 54 daily hospitalizations due to COVID are reported in New York City
- There are 2 deaths a day in New York on average
- Hospitalizations have increased 34% in recent weeks throughout the state
- 18% of New Yorkers have already received the new bivalent vaccine
- 36 daily hospitalizations are recorded in the Bronx, which has had an increase of 5%
- 45 hospitalizations are recorded every day in Queens
- 6 hospitalizations daily on Staten Island
- 34 daily hospitalizations in Brooklyn
- 34 hospitalizations daily in Manhattan