Take me out to get the vaccine, and then the game? You bet!

In an effort to get more COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of reluctant New Yorkers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday, May 5, that State residents who show up for a quick jab in the arm of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Yankee Stadium or at Citi Field will receive a free game ticket.

Meanwhile, for both the State and sport fans in “The Big Apple,” the free game tickets initiative could be a win-win situation, helping to achieve herd immunity in New York State while also offering fans the chance to attend a free sporting event. Cuomo also disclosed that starting on May 19, both sporting venues will be opened to all vaccinated guests. Yankee Stadium and Citi Field have a maximum capacity of between 42,000 and 50,000, respectively.

“Come a little bit early and get your vaccine at the gate,” said Cuomo during Wednesday’s news conference. “You’re going to the game, anyway. It’s on your way. Stop and get a vaccine. If you get a vaccine, you get a free ticket to a Yankees or a Mets game.”

He added, “Next time you go to the game, and you’re vaccinated, you can enjoy the game. Sitting next to your friend, sitting next to your family which, to me, is a big part of the enjoyment of the game.”

Yankees president, Randy Levine, said he was elated to be part of the free ticket offer and was particularly pleased with plans to open the stadium gates in two weeks’ time to anyone who has been vaccinated.

“We were at capacity at 10,850, and the building sounded like there were 50,000 people cheering, doing some other things..from start to finish,” Levine wrote in a press statement. “And that’s what it’s all about. It gave all of us spirit. It reminded us of the way it used to be, and the way it can be again.”

He continued, “We’ll put it all out on our website, how it’s going to work. Basically, you come to the game, as the governor said, you take a vaccine shot, get a voucher, and go to that game.” He added, “If that game is sold out, you go tomorrow night…go to a game of your choice.”

Meanwhile, New York Mets president, Sandy Alderson, echoed that sentiment, adding that the admission of vaccinated-only fans will avoid having to separate the vaccinated and unvaccinated at the gates. He said COVID-19 protocols will still be in effect for attendees and masks will be required.

“With this new opportunity for us, I think that we will get more families to the ballpark,” Alderson said as part of press statement. “We will have more kids in the ballpark and will be returned to creating those memories that are so important, and such a part of our lives,” he said. “I can remember going to my first major league game when I was nine, Chicago White Sox against the Yankees, and you’ll be happy to know that even then, I rooted against the Yankees!”

More locally, in ZIP code 10467, covering Norwood, Allerton, Pelham Parkway and Williamsbridge, 33 percent of residents are now fully vaccinated as of May 6, while 44 percent have had at least one dose. In ZIP code 10458, which covers Belmont, Fordham University and Kingsbridge, 30 percent of residents are now fully vaccinated, and 42 percent have had at least one dose as of the same date.