New York City COVID-19 vaccine incentives (2021), including Key to NYC

New York City's 2021 offers, issued through the Mayor's office, included a "$100 pre-paid debit card" for a first dose at a city-run site (NYC DCAS flyer). Key to NYC was Emergency Executive Order 225, signed August 16, 2021.

Key to NYC was a 2021 City of New York order about proof of vaccination for certain indoor settings. It is not the ceremonial "key to the city." This page does not carry City photographs. Dates below are taken from the order, from city newsletters, and from a city flyer.

Rewards at city-run sites

A July 2, 2021 newsletter from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment said adults who received a first dose on or after May 25 at a New York City-run site could choose an incentive, including gift cards, staycations, and tickets, and could enter a competition. It said people vaccinated before May 25 could use discounts and giveaways from other New York City businesses by showing a CDC vaccination card. A July 16, 2021 issue of the same newsletter repeated the gift-card, staycation, and ticket language for a first dose at a city-run site.

A Department of Citywide Administrative Services flyer, marked 7.21, is headed "Get $100 or other exclusive rewards with your free COVID-19 vaccine!" and lists a "$100 pre-paid debit card," Statue of Liberty tickets, Citi Bike memberships, and gift certificates, with the addresses nyc.gov/vaccineincentives and vax4nyc.nyc.gov. An August 3, 2021 Bronx Community Board 1 notice points at the same offer. An August 26, 2021 city newsletter says adults receiving a first dose at a city-run site could receive a $100 prepaid gift card, tickets, or memberships. CNBC, on July 28, 2021, reported that the mayor had said the $100 payment at city-run sites would start that Friday.

On May 13, 2021 Shake Shack and the NYC Mayor's Office announced a separate food offer: a free burger voucher at city mobile vaccine buses, and free fries with a purchase through June 12 for people who showed a vaccine card or an Excelsior Pass. The terms, the briefing quotations, and the July newsletter's silence on the restaurant's name are on the food offers page. This page does not repeat them.

Key to NYC (2021 proof-of-vaccination order)

Emergency Executive Order 225, signed by the Mayor on August 16, 2021, is titled "Key to NYC: Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Indoor Entertainment, Recreation, Dining and Fitness Settings." The order says it takes effect on August 17, 2021, except the penalty section, which takes effect on September 13, 2021. A city page quoting the mayor the same week says enforcement with a multi-agency coalition would begin September 13, and that the order covered indoor dining, entertainment, and fitness. The order's own text says that requiring vaccination at those establishments "will incentivize vaccinations." That is the order's verb. The order is a requirement with fines, which the penalty section states, and it is filed here because the city placed it under the Key to NYC name beside the reward program.

State programs are on the New York State page.