Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that 75% of the adults in New York City received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
De Blasio credits this milestone to the $100 incentive. As of Aug. 19, over 80,000 New Yorkers have received the $100 prepaid debit card.
“This $100 incentive has made a difference, so much so that President Joe Biden endorsed it and suggested it for other parts of the country as well,” de Blasio said.
The mayor commended everyone for getting vaccinated and the healthcare workers giving out the vaccinations.
“These are heroes,” de Blasio said. “The folks going door to door, the folks going out into the communities, the folks giving out the vaccinations– this is making a huge difference.”
For those who still aren’t vaccinated, de Blasio said now is the best time to do it.
“I understand that a lot of people wanted to wait a while for more information. I respect that,” de Blasio said. “We’re happy to work with anyone. If you want a vaccination in your home, we’ll do it. But I want to emphasize this is the best time ever to get the vaccine.”
The extremely contagious Delta variant continues to pose a challenge for New York City, but de Blasio said the Five Boroughs can handle it as long as more New Yorkers get vaccinated.
Assembly Member Karines Reyes, who introduced the Hero Act that protects healthcare work conditions during the pandemic, encouraged everyone eligible to roll up their sleeves.
“I am a believer in personal choice, but I don’t think your personal choice should endanger the life of others,” Reyes said. “The best way to protect ourselves is to get vaccinated.”
