COVID-19: New York City To Offer Residents $100 To Get Vaccinated

Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that residents of New York who go to a ity-run vaccination site for their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, will receive $100.

The mayor made the announcement on Wednesday at a press conference. “It does not get better than that,” de Blasio said.

The announcement comes just days after the mayor said all city workers would have to be vaccinated or go through strict weekly testing protocols.

Beginning Friday, the cash reward will be handed out to city residents and employees who make an appointment at city-run vaccination sites.

An official said at the press conference that first-time shot takers will either be mailed a pre-paid debit card or be issued a digital one immediately via email.

“I personally believe that the guarantee that right then and there you’re going to be rewarded, I think that’s going to make a big difference to people,” the mayor said.

When he was questioned about those who have already been vaccinated, de Blasio thanked them for doing “the right thing.”

“It was the right thing to do for yourself, for your family, for your community. You did the right thing and the reward is you were kept safe and you’re alive because of it,” he said.

“But, we understand it’s been a huge amount of misinformation … particularly through social media getting anything but the truth. We got a lot we’ve got to overcome.”

More than 9 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the city.