Teachers who live in Hudson Valley but work in NJ being denied access to COVID-19 vaccine

State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick tells News 12 that dozens of people in his district, including Richmond, have reached out about this problem.

News 12 Staff

Feb 4, 2021, 1:16 AM

Updated 1,347 days ago

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Some essential employees who live in the Hudson Valley but work outside of the state are being denied access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
This is due to an eligibility loophole, particularly impacting teachers who live in New York but work across the border in New Jersey.
They're finding themselves ineligible for the shot in both states because New York is vaccinating its teachers, but only the ones who physically work in the state. Teachers in New Jersey aren't eligible yet.
This has created a gap for Rockland resident and Bergen County teacher Lindsay Richmond.
She was turned away from her vaccine appointment Sunday even after getting all the necessary approval online.
State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick tells News 12 that dozens of people in his district, including Richmond, have reached out about this problem.
He's submitting a bill that allows anyone whose job would entitle them to a vaccination in New York to get a shot - whether or not they physically work in the state.