NYC Kids 5 And Up Can Get $100 COVID Vaccine Incentive

NEW YORK CITY — Children ages 5 and up not only can start rolling up their sleeves for the coronavirus vaccine, they can get money from New York City when they do so.

"Good news, kids are eligible for the $100 vaccine incentive," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. "So, we really wants kids to take advantage, families to take advantage of that. Everyone can use a little more money around the holidays."

🤑🤑🤑 all kids 5+ are eligible for the $100 incentive if they get the jab from a city-run or school-site
— Danielle Filson (@DanielleFilson) November 4, 2021

New York City-run vaccination sites started doling out doses Thursday after federal officials approved the Pfizer vaccine for kids from 5 to 11 years old.

The expanded eligibility has been long sought by parents, educators and health officials.

"At last, nearly every member of our school communities has access to this life-saving vaccine," schools Chancellor Meisha Porter said. "At last, parents can be confident that when their babies leave the house each morning, they have this powerful layer of protection against this disease. At last, we can take the final step in our mission of reopening our schools as strong and as safe as possible."

City health Commissioner Dave Chokshi strongly encouraged parents and caregivers to get their children vaccinated. He said CDC research indicates if every child in the city from 5 to 11 is vaccinated that would prevent 38,000 COVID-19 cases.

"Remember that some of these infections also result in hospitalizations, ICU admissions and long-term effects from COVID-19 like shortness of breath and brain fog," he said.

Children and their families are eligible for the $100 vaccine incentive if they get their shot at a city-run vaccination site, de Blasio said.

Those can be found at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.