What is New York City Doing to Boost Covid Vaccination Where Rates Remain Persistently Low?

*Reposted from Gotham Gazette. Written by Ethan Geringer-Sameth. (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)*

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains persistently low in pockets of New York City two years into the pandemic, despite being shown to reduce the severity and spread of the virus that has killed nearly 40,000 New Yorkers.

A city health department study in August found a vast majority of covid-related hospitalizations and deaths – 97% – were among people who were unvaccinated. While the vaccine is widely available and the city has made efforts to encourage inoculation, 1.9 million New Yorkers are not considered fully vaccinated. That number – 23% of the city – is mostly made up of vaccine-eligible people, but also includes the under-five population still awaiting federal approval.

“New Yorkers have done a tremendous job getting vaccinated, but I know we can do more,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement last month when he announced the return of a limited $100 vaccination incentive. Covid rates had been soaring for weeks, driven by the Omicron variant.

For entire article visit: https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/11164-new-york-city-boost-covid-vacc…