Hochul Offers $50 Gift Cards, College Scholarships To Vax Kids

LONG ISLAND, NY — In a continuing push to get children vaccinated, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled new incentives Tuesday, including $50 gift cards and the chance to win a full-ride scholarship to college.

Hochul was in Mt. Vernon discussing vaccinations for children in the 5 to 11 group, which were given the go-ahead by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week.

Hochul unveiled incentives to get shots in arms, including a $50 gift card for kids after the first shot and another, after the second.

She also announced the "Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate" incentive, with 50 scholarships offered to kids who have been vaccinated, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Kids vaccinated will have their names put in a pool for the chance to win a "free ride," Hochul said.

Parents and guardians of children ages 5 through 11 who receive their first vaccine dose by December 19 can enter the state's incentive program for a chance for their child to win a full scholarship to any two- or four-year SUNY or CUNY college or university; the scholarship includes tuition, room, and board. Ten winners will be announced each week beginning November 24th, with a total of 50 winners being selected over the five-week period, Hochul said.

To enter, click here or call 1-833-697-4829.

"We are spotlighting how important it is to get children vaccinated," she said.

So far, children can only get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination.

Many parents have asked when masks can come off kids in school, Hochul said. "The key is getting them vaccinated. We waited a long time and finally, all school-aged children are eligible."

The state has 700,000 doses ready, enough for half the population of that age group, she said; there is a focus on making sure vaccinations are available at pediatricians' offices, clinics, drugstores and schools.

As of Tuesday, 75 percent of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the vaccine, she said, with more than 28 million doses administered statewide.

Hochul said she has asked schools to partner with the state; 65 percent of schools statewide will host vaccination opportunities, she said.

The governor said she also wants to address all the "lies floating around" about vaccinating children and is embarking upon a new social media campaign in a variety of languages.

The vaccinations, she said, "will unlock the door to a normal existence for all of us." Children who have not seen their grandparents for the holidays will have the chance to celebrate safely on Thanksgiving, she said.

"Let's make sure grandma and grandpa do not get sick from children who have been exposed to other kids," she said. "If everyone gets vaccinated we can protect other family members."

Hochul also announced a design competition for children to create and choose a sticker for the outreach efforts.

"Let's get the job done," she said.