New York: New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has set a goal to have 4.7 million residents fully vaccinated by June 30. More than 3.2 million people—around 37 percent of the state’s total population—are totally vaccinated. But in order to make the prospect of a potentially life-saving vaccine even more enticing, Murphy has announced a new program called “Shot and a Beer,” which allows anyone who gets their shots this month to receive a free beer at more than a dozen different breweries in the state.
“We’re not going to be afraid to try new things,” Murphy said after announcing the program on Monday. The Shot and a Beer initiative is the result of a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Health and the Brewer’s Guild of New Jersey—and the breweries have generously agreed to cover the costs of those complimentary beverages.
Any New Jersey resident aged 21 and over just needs to take their vaccine card to a participating brewery and show it to a member of staff.
Meanwhile in Connecticut, the Connecticut Restaurant Association has teamed up with Governor Ned Lamont on a program they’re calling “Connecticut Drinks on Us.” From Wednesday, May 19 through Monday, May 31, residents who show their vaccination card at more than 200 participating restaurants in all eight counties can receive a free alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.
Similarly residents aged 21 and up who get vaccinated at a Suffolk County point of distribution in May will receive a ticket for a free drink at participating wineries, distilleries or breweries. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the “Lift Your Spirit, Take Your Shot” initiative to encourage eligible residents to get vaccinated.
New York City too is offering a slew of incentives to encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would start offering incentives for vaccinations including tickets to: NYC Aquarium, NY Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Bronx Zoo, Public Theater Membership, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Cyclones, New York City Football Club, and NYC Ferry.
The mayor said he’d provide specifics later this week.
“We’re going to be giving out the details in the next few days, but from this point on there’ll be many, many opportunities to get great, great prizes when you get vaccinated,” de Blasio said at a virtual briefing. “We want people to know, it’s time.”
So far, 39.4%, or 7.7 million, of New York residents are fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
