'COVID Era' Could End Next Year If Vax Rate Continues, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY — Preventing the spread of the coronavirus could become the equivalent of tackling the flu as soon as next year if New York City continues on its high vaccination path against the virus, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The mayor said Friday that the "COVID era" is on its way to an end given surging vaccination rates prompted by vaccine incentives and widespread mandates among public workers and to participate in New York City's indoor activities.

His prediction comes as New York City surpassed an 80-percent partial vaccination rate among adults on Friday.

"I think it's important for New Yorkers to recognize, we can literally end the COVID era and make COVID, in effect, the equivalent of what we deal with each year with the flu," de Blasio said on WNYC. "We could do that as early as next year if we continue this success with vaccination."

The 80-percent milestone comes amid a surge in vaccination in the last few weeks given new mandates for public employees, school staff and those who want to partake in indoor dining, fitness and entertainment, the mayor said.

The city has also had an ongoing list of incentives to New Yorkers who get the shot, including a $100 pay out, free museum tickets and even limited-edition comic books.

The vaccination surge is expected to continue growing, according to de Blasio, particularly as New York City public school students start the school year this week.

"We expect a lot more vaccinations in the coming next few weeks, particularly among younger people," he said.

The vaccination rate among those 12 to 17 years old was close to 70 percent as of Friday, the mayor said. Students are required to be vaccinated to participate in certain sports, extracurricular activities and to stay for in-person learning should a coronavirus case be detected in their classroom.

The mayor noted that challenges still exist in the vaccination push. The city has struggled with vaccination rates in areas hardest hit by the pandemic and among New Yorkers of color.

De Blasio said those obstacles have improved, but still need work.

As of Friday, the level of vaccination among Latino New Yorkers had surpassed the vaccination rate for white residents, but the rate of vaccination among Black city dwellers still lagged, de Blasio said.

"We have more to do in the African American community for sure, but we also know these mandates are reaching a lot of African American New Yorkers, many of whom are working in public service or working in the sectors where the mandates are in place," de Blasio said. "We see people coming in in much higher numbers now."