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Thanksgiving is just a week away! I hope you’re looking forward to the holiday as much as I am, and that you’ve got all your plans in place to celebrate safely. Remember: get the vaccine if you haven’t, get a booster if you have, wear a mask, & keep practicing social distancing.   Let’s dive in.

UPDATES IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST COVID

BOOSTER DOSES. If you feel that you are at risk for COVID and are already fully vaccinated, get the booster. And if you are unsure about the booster shots, please talk with your health care provider. Visit ny.gov/boosters to learn more about the COVID boosters and see if you’re eligible.  

YOUTH VACCINATIONS AT MASS VAX SITES. Ten of New York’s mass vaccination sites are now administering the COVID-19 vaccine to newly eligible 5- to 11- year-olds. Parents and guardians can make appointments at a state-run vaccine site for their child at ny.gov/vaccine.  

REMEMBER TO ENTER OUR VAX BADGE STICKER CONTEST. We launched a contest so kids can proudly share that they’re vaccinated. Parents and guardians can enter their child’s designs by submitting an image of your design to me (@GovKathyHochul) via social media, say where you’re from and use the hashtag #NYVaxForKids. Lucky winners from across the state will be selected to be featured on our “I’m Vaccinated” stickers!

THE LATEST ON THE NUMBERS

THIS WEEK’S COVID TRENDS. As of November 16, 2021, there are 2,102 New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19. Our 7-day percentage positivity average was 3.47%, which is up from 2.78% last week.   Per the CDC as of November 17, 2021, 89.3% of adult New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose. So far, 28,627,601 total vaccine doses have been administered, and 95,434 doses were administered over the past 24 hours. 
 
  Governor Hochul stands at podium with presentation slide behind her  

Photo of the Day: Yesterday, I visited the Delavan Grider Community Center in Buffalo to deliver my weekly COVID briefing (Photo by Mike Groll)

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

Every week, we’re answering some commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations.  You can submit a question for a chance to get your question answered in next week’s newsletter. Submit your question here.  

QUESTION: Will my Excelsior Pass be updated now that I’ve received the booster shot (third Pfizer dose)? (Pat, Westchester County)  
ANSWER: At this time, an Excelsior Vaccination Pass only includes an individual’s initial vaccine series. It does not include a boosters and/or additional doses. However, as of November 8, New Yorkers who received a booster or additional dose can retrieve their Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus which includes all COVID-19 doses received to date. If you retrieved your Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus before this update, visit epass.ny.gov to retrieve a new Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus at any time. Following the November 8 update, New Yorkers can expect their booster or additional doses to be available 3-4 days after receiving their shot.   We’ve made great progress in getting vaccinated, with more than 89% adult New Yorkers with at least one dose, and now that they’re eligible, our kids are stepping up to the plate and getting the vaccine.

Thank you to all the young New Yorkers (and their parents) who are keeping themselves and their loved ones safe ahead of the holidays. Hope you have a great rest of your week, New York.  

Ever Upward,
Governor Kathy Hochul