Starting today, millions more New Yorkers, including the Hudson Valley, are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

New York residents in group 1B can begin making their appointment to be vaccinated against the coronavirus today.

The group is composed of teachers, first responders, public safety workers, transit workers and anyone over the age of 75 - totaling 3.2 million people.

Those who qualify can go to the state Department of Health website for a virtual application.

After you show you're eligible for the vaccine, the site will provide a local facility and time for your appointment.

The state is still continuing to vaccinate the earlier group, including health care workers, so the demand for vaccine appointments is set to increase.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order to expand the workers who can be trained to administer the vaccine to get the job done as efficiently as possible.

The announcement to expand the eligibility groups to include three million more people, came from Gov. Cuomo last week, after growing pressure from medical providers across the state. Many claimed they were having difficulty finding patients who matched precisely with the state's strict vaccination guidelines. So as a result some health care officials say they had vaccines sitting in freezers for weeks and were forced to throw out precious doses. Those who are eligible can request reservations online beginning at 8 a.m., or by phone beginning at 4 p.m. "You have to register online. You have to put in your date of birth, if you're a senior citizen. You have to sign an affirmation if you're any of those groups--that you are qualified to get in there..." says Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.      

It's expected to take 14 weeks based on current doses available  to vaccinate all of those who are now qualified.

The Department of Health is setting up 20 mass distribution sites throughout the state over the next several weeks to support all categories of eligibility. Opening on Wednesday:

For help finding vaccine administration centers and to schedule appointments, click the state’s “Am I Eligible” page.

You can also call the health department at 1-866-881-2809 or email questions to dohweb@health.ny.gov.

See more information on vaccines here.