A number of New York residents are now eligible to receive a second COVID-19 booster shot, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Saturday.

Those now eligible for a second booster include New Yorkers 50 years and older who received their first booster shot at least four months ago, adults ages 18 – 49 who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and immunocompromised New Yorkers 12 years and older.

"Second boosters are now available to eligible New Yorkers statewide, including at all of the State's mass vaccination sites," Gov. Hochul said. "Getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with all recommended doses is the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization, and move safely forward through this pandemic."

The New York State Department of Health recommends that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children five years and older get fully vaccinated and receive an initial COVID-19 booster when eligible.

"Providers statewide, including at the states mass vaccination sites, are ready to administer second booster doses for eligible New Yorkers,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “For each of us, vaccination remains our personal best line of defense against COVID. As we have seen with the recent increase of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2, COVID is still with us. These safe and effective vaccines remain free, including the second booster."

All New York State mass vaccination sites are administering second booster doses to eligible New Yorkers. To schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, New Yorkers can visit the Am I Eligible page or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX.