All New York residents over the age of 18 who received their Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series at least six months ago or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago are currently eligible for COVID booster shots. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health have encouraged all eligible New Yorkers to get their booster shots, particularly those over the age of 50 and those with underlying health conditions. Eligible New Yorkers can receive any of the FDA-approved or authorized vaccines for their booster dose. 

Already, over 1 million New Yorkers have received a booster shot, Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted out on Wednesday, as the city prepares for the omicron variant. 

So, where and when can Bushwick residents pick up a booster shot? 

The city made an extremely convenient vaccine finder tool that allows all New Yorkers to identify the closest vaccine site and book an appointment. While walk-ins are often accepted, the majority of vaccine sites strongly encourage people to make an appointment. 

In Bushwick, some of the primary vaccine sites include Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, the Walgreens at 355 Knickerbocker Ave., the Urgent Care at 366 Knickerbocker Ave., Myrtle Drugs pharmacy at 1454 Myrtle Ave. and The Jefferson community health center at 1300 Flushing Ave., among many others. 

For a full, updated list of local COVID vaccine hubs and details on making appointments, check out the city’s vaccine finder tool mentioned above. 

Screenshot from the NYC vaccine finder’s interactive map.

Those who are 75 years or older, have a disability or are fully homebound can also schedule an at-home vaccine visit. Those can be scheduled by filling out this form. 

As of Dec. 3, the vast majority, nearly 89 percent, of NYC adults ages 18 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 81 percent are fully vaccinated. A much lower percentage of eligible children, ages five to 17, are vaccinated, with 34 percent fully vaccinated and 46 percent having received at least one dose. 

Earlier this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi reinstituted the mask advisory, strongly encouraging New Yorkers to wear masks indoors and in all public settings, regardless of vaccination status.

“We still have a lot to learn about the omicron variant, but its emergence lends urgency to the importance of the precautions we’ve all become familiar with – particularly vaccination, masking and testing,” tweeted Dr. Choski.

Featured image: Walgreens at 355 Knickerbocker Ave. via Google Maps.

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