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In a bid to get more New Yorkers to get the COVID-19 booster shot, NYC is now handing out $100 to those who do.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $10 million campaign to push booster shots, increase booster access, bring them to nursing homes and encourage the parents of 5- to 11-year-olds to get them vaccinated. Under the plan, there will be more testing, free masks, new testing sites and more at-home kits through community-based organizations to help reduce the lines at testing sites, the mayor said.
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In recent weeks, New Yorkers have waited hours in line just to get tested as the number of cases has skyrocketed—on Monday, there were 12,293 new cases reported. Those with boosters have reported breakthrough cases, but in most instances, they've been somewhat mild. That being said, restaurants, Broadway shows and other venues have closed in the last couple of weeks due to exposure to COVID-19.
"This will be by far the biggest booster incentive program in the United States of America and I want to see New Yorkers respond," he said. "This is the moment. Get those booster shots. Help make your family safer, help make this whole city safer."
Those who get their boosters in NYC at a city-run site or via SOMOS Community Care will receive $100 between now and New Year's Eve. It'll be like when NYC offered $100 debit cards for New Yorkers to get the first round of vaccination in July. Each newly vaccinated person was given a $100 prepaid debit card they could redeem immediately via email or they were mailed a physical card.
NYC had also offered the non-vaccinated free tickets to NYC attractions and a chance to win a $5 million lottery if they got the shot.
You can find NYC-run vaccination sites here.