ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Wednesday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the "Get a Shot to Make Your Future" program to encourage those ages 12 to 17 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state will raffle off 50 full tuition, room and board scholarships to any public college or university in New York State to those ages 12 to 17 who receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine beginning May 27 through July 7.
10 4-year scholarships will be awarded via a random drawing every Wednesday, you can sign up here to be notified when drawing begins.
"Parents or guardians of any New Yorker, ages 12 to 17, can enter their child who has received at least their first COVID-19 vaccine dose (at any time), for a chance to win one of 50, four-year full-ride scholarships (includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies) to any New York State public college or university," the sign up link says.
The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine the 12 to 17 age group is eligible for. Moderna announced Tuesday its trial results show its vaccine is effective in the 12 to 17 age group and it will submit the data to the CDC and FDA in early June and will request authorization.
The governor said state data shows the 12 to 17 age group accounts for 5% of total COVID-19 tests and 10% of total positive COVID-19 tests.
According to Cuomo, the earlier you receive the vaccine the better chance you have because you will be eligible for each weekly drawing.
The state previously announced announced the 'Vax and Scratch' program and a free two-day pass to any New York State Park as incentives to receive the vaccine. Officials say federal COVID-19 relief and outreach funds will be used to cover the cost of this program.
