Governor Hochul Announces First Round Winners of the #VaxandWin Football Sweepstakes in Partnership with New York's Professional Football Teams

Prizes Include Game Tickets, Special In-Game Experiences, Signed Gear and More From the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets

All New Yorkers Who Receive Their First COVID-19 Vaccine September 9 to October 24 Are Eligible; Parents and Guardians Can Enter for New Yorkers Ages 12-17 Years Old

Four More Drawings to be Held at the Drawing Scheduled Available Here; Eligible New Yorkers Can Enter Sweepstakes Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the first-round winners of New York State's #VaxandWin Football Sweepstakes - a new incentive program designed to encourage unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated in partnership with New York's professional football teams. The prizes for winners include game tickets, special in-game experiences, stadium tours, signed gear, FaceTime calls with alumni players, and more from the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and New York Jets. New York State will administer the random drawing and new winners will be selected each week over five weeks total. Four drawings remain after this week.

All New Yorkers who receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose September 9, 2021 - October 24, 2021 are eligible. Parents and guardians can enter for school-aged New Yorkers 12-17 years old here.

"We continue to do everything possible to urge New Yorkers of all ages to get vaccinated," Governor Hochul said. "New York's professional football teams have joined the State in this work with our new #VaxandWin Football Sweepstakes. This incentive program provides yet another reason for New Yorkers to roll up their sleeves so together, as one New York team, we can defeat COVID once and for all. I congratulate all of the first-round winners for doing their part, and I thank New York's professional football teams for their support in helping us to celebrate New Yorkers who get vaccinated."

The first-round winners are:

Buffalo Bills Prizes:

Andrew Pullan, Chautauqua County
John Castillo, Bronx
James Chantry, Onondaga County
James Verhagen, Orleans County
Aaron Cos, Erie County
Theresa Peck, Oswego County

New York Giants Prizes:

Kelly Richmond, Washington County
Kayli Valerio, Ontario County

New York Jets Prizes:

Andrew Rippel, Suffolk County
James Brown, Jr., Saratoga County
Emilio Rojas, Bronx
Theresa Signorile, Staten Island
Mary Jane, Hughes, Nassau County

The New York State Department of Health has verified the vaccination status of winners.

New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a nearby vaccine location and get vaccinated against COVID-19 today.

To learn more about New York State's #VaxandWin football sweepstakes, interested New Yorkers can visit the site here and eligible New Yorkers can enter the sweepstakes here.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and school-aged children, New Yorkers can visit our dedicated website ny.gov/vaxtoschool or follow @VaccinateNY on Instagram.