Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Gov. Kathy Hochul is joined by Buffalo Bills' Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith and team owner and President Kim Pegula in announcing an integrated media and vaccine incentive program in partnership with all three New York professional football teams to support vaccinations among currently unvaccinated New Yorkers. (Photo by Darren McGee/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)
Gov. Kathy Hochul is joined by Buffalo Bills' Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith and team owner and President Kim Pegula in announcing an integrated media and vaccine incentive program in partnership with all three New York professional football teams to support vaccinations among currently unvaccinated New Yorkers. (Photo by Darren McGee/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Hochul partners with Buffalo Bills, New York Giants & New York Jets to support vaccinations

Submitted

Thu, Sep 23rd 2021 08:35 pm

Includes NYS #VaxandWin football sweepstakes; 5 drawings to win prizes including game tickets, special in-game experiences, signed gear

√ Eligible New Yorkers who received their first vaccine dose Sept. 9 through Oct. 24 can enter here

√ First winners announced Sept. 29; drawing schedule available here

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced an integrated media and vaccine incentive program in partnership with all three New York professional football teams to support vaccinations among currently unvaccinated New Yorkers. The multiscale marketing effort and #VaxandWin football sweepstakes includes the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, who join the state in urging all unvaccinated New York adults and eligible school-aged adolescents to get vaccinated this fall as New Yorkers return to school, work and football.

"As we heard from the players themselves, the best defense is a good offense. New York state has made tremendous progress in vaccinating eligible New Yorkers – but there is still work to be done,” Hochul said. “As a new football season begins, I am proud to announce this unique vaccine incentive program with all of New York's professional football teams to continue this work on a new playing field. I thank New York's teams – the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants and the New York Jets – for kicking this creative program off with us, and joining the state in spreading the message on the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If you've been waiting, now is the time to get vaccinated."

The integrated marketing campaign includes new vaccine encouragement videos and radio segments with alumni players from each team who have each received the COVID-19 vaccine themselves. It also includes the integration of the state's vaccine messaging across each team's media channels, including television, radio in English and Spanish through the New York Giants, podcast, digital, and social media.

Hochul’s team said, “The new vaccination program expands on the state's commitment to ensure no stone is left unturned in our effort to vaccinate all eligible New Yorkers. To date, over 80% of New York adults have received at least one vaccine dose (CDC), while 59.3% of 12-17-year-olds and 68.9% of 16-25-year-old's have received at least one vaccine dose. Complimenting the state's multiprong #VaxtoSchool strategy, activating trusted messenger networks that can speak to parents and school-aged New Yorkers about the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine remains crucial to the state's efforts.”

NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, said, "I'm proud to be a part of this dynamic initiative to get New Yorkers vaccinated. We're all players on the same team in the fight against COVID-19. Together we can win."

Buffalo Bills owner and President Kim Pegula said, "We are proud to support the efforts of Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York state in the continued fight against COVID-19. By joining with the Giants and Jets, we are all hopeful we can help improve our vaccination rate in our state."

New York Giants Senior Vice President of Medical Services Ronnie Barnes said, "The New York Giants are proud to partner with New York state and the Department of Health on this very important initiative to encourage people to get vaccinated. Every vaccinated individual will help us save lives and move beyond this pandemic that has impacted so many of us. The vaccines have shown to be extremely effective in slowing the spread and keeping people safe. Anybody who has questions about the vaccine should speak with their personal physician."

New York Jets Chief Medical Officer Dr. Damion Martins said, "The health and safety of our community is our No. 1 priority. As New Yorkers continue to get back to school, work and events, we encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated to do so. On behalf of the New York Jets organization, we are proud to partner with the state on this important work and spread the message to all New Yorkers so we can protect ourselves and protect each other.”

As part of the program, the state has launched the #VaxandWin football sweepstakes. Entries for the sweepstakes are open today for all New Yorkers who received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose Sept. 9 through Oct. 24.

Eligible New Yorkers 18 and older can enter to win prizes for the whole family from the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, including up to four game tickets, special in-game experiences, stadium tours, signed team gear and FaceTime calls with alumni players. Parents or guardians can enter for their eligible 12-17-year-old children. The first winners will be announced Sept. 29, with new drawings taking place each week following for the next four weeks.

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. 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.

 

Flickr photo link

Hometown News

View All News