Vaccine Eligibility Expanding for Long Islanders

(NEW YORK) — More than 500,000 Long Islanders have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to New York State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker.

Many Long Islanders have received their vaccines from Stony Brook University’s vaccination site.

As vaccine rollouts continue, more residents are gaining eligibility. As of February 15th, those with preexisting conditions can register for an appointment.

Ally Charles, a young woman recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, can now do her part to stop the spread of the virus. While her day-to-day routine hasn’t changed drastically during the last year, the pandemic has given her time to reevaluate her priorities when it comes to her health.

“This has now just been an opportunity for me to kind of take out all the noise of the world and just really focus on the things that are important to me,” Charles told the Click.

For many, like Charles, the vaccine provided some relief after a difficult year.

While many Long Island residents welcome the news of more vaccinations and falling virus positivity rates, there are lingering concerns as new virus variants emerge.

Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the first case of the South African variant was detected in an individual on Long Island.

However, the guidance on the state’s website remains the same: Wear a mask, social distance, and stay up to date on New York State’s vaccination program.