Governor Hochul Announces New Efforts to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations and Prepare for Booster Shots

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and prepare for booster shots upon FDA approval. To continue to support vaccinating school-aged New Yorkers, one hundred twenty-five free tickets to the upcoming Governors Ball Music Festival are available to individuals who receive their first vaccine dose at a #VaxtoSchool pop-up location through this new incentive program.

The Governor has directed the State Department of Health to authorize basic emergency medical technicians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. This immediately adds more than 2,000 fully trained vaccinators back into the State's program. An additional 50,000 basic EMTs will be able to receive the required training in order to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

"More than four in five adult New Yorkers have gotten at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, and while we are significantly outpacing most other states with our high vaccination rate, the fact remains that those who are still unvaccinated are significantly more likely to experience severe symptoms and end up hospitalized," Governor Hochul said. "The vaccine works, but only if we take it, and that is why we are using creative incentives for people who still need to get their shot and putting in place the necessary offense to beat back the virus once more."

The required training for EMTs can be completed online or in-person. Licensed EMTs will become a State-approved vaccinator by demonstrating skill competency online or in-person.

DOH is continuing to work with local health departments that know their communities best. Local health departments have planned for mass vaccination campaigns and can serve a critical role in bridging the gap in local capacity, especially during peak demand. So far, local health departments activated more than 200 of them for the COVID-19 vaccination program. DOH is engaging local health departments to reach out to medical practices, clinics, and other providers in their counties to encourage participation in the booster program.

Recently, the Governor announced the launch of the multi-faceted statewide #VaxtoSchool campaign to support increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers, furthering the administration's commitment to making the health and well-being of students, teachers and families a top priority. As part of this effort, the Governor announced that new #VaxtoSchool pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites will be open in areas where zip code data shows the vaccination rate for 12 to 17-year-olds is lower than the statewide average. A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers may have. Governors Ball has donated 125 free tickets to their coveted September music festival at Randall's Island as vaccine incentives to support the State's #VaxtoSchool efforts. The tickets are available for individuals who receive a first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine at state-operated #VaxtoSchool pop-up locations.