By GREGORY ZELLER //
Albany is getting more creative in its efforts to convince New Yorkers to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Following Ohio’s lead – earlier this month, the Buckeye State announced a $5 million lottery featuring five $1 million prizes for residents who complete their one- or two-shot COVID-19 vaccinations – New York has concocted a number of giveaways designed to encourage the vaccine-hesitant.
The latest targets 12- to 17-year-old New Yorkers, who can have their names entered into a random drawing (after completing their vaccinations) for a full City University of New York or State University of New York scholarship, covering tuition, room and board.
The state plans to select 10 winners per week for the next five weeks and, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, the contest won’t cost Albany a dime: Federal COVID-19 relief funds will cover the cost of the teen-focused vaccination-incentive program.
Cuomo called it “a significant incentive for students” with better odds than most lotteries, since the drawing will be “among a small population.”
“And by the way, it’s an incentive for parents,” the governor noted. “You’re worried about paying college tuition – tell your 12- to 17-year-old, ‘Go out, get a shot.’
“It protects the family,” Cuomo added. “And they are then eligible for a raffle.”
Take a shot: CVS has become the latest national chain to offer luck-of-the-draw incentives to vaccination-hesitant customers.
The lottery – which targets an age group that trails other New York age groups in percentage vaccinated to date – is the latest in a line of vaccination-incentive programs coming out of Albany. Earlier this month, Cuomo announced a “Vax & Scratch” program that doles out free $20 New York Lottery scratch-offs to adults vaccinated at one of 10 state-run mass-vaccination sites, including a site operating at Stony Brook University.
Maryland and Oregon have announced similar lottery-based vaccination-incentive programs; on Thursday, Minnesota announced vaccination incentives including state park passes and free amusement-park tickets.
Corporate America is also stepping into the fray. The national pharmacy chain CVS announced Thursday that customers who get vaccinated in its stores will be entered into a sweepstakes offering a variety of prizes, including discount cruises and Super Bowl tickets.
Krispy Kreme is offering one free donut per day for the remainder of 2021 to the vaccinated. Professional sports teams have begun offering discounted tickets to the inoculated, while United Airlines recently announced a lottery awarding free flights for two – anywhere in the world – to Loyalty Program members who receive the vaccine.
Meanwhile, major-league national chains including Target, Trader Joe’s, McDonald’s and Best Buy are providing paid time off to employees who get their COVID shots.
“We’re in the business now of creating incentives to get vaccinated,” Cuomo said Wednesday. “Go to a subway station, get a vaccine, you can get an MTA pass. You can win a ballgame ticket. You can win a lottery ticket.
“And young people, you can win a scholarship.”
