The Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) today announced New York City’s Vaccine Command Center (VCC) as the winner of its annual Prize for Public Service Excellence, which honors creative solutions that have positive impacts on New Yorkers’ lives, this year with a special focus on initiatives that responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and recession.

“Over the past year and a half, many government agencies and leaders have stepped up to implement innovative solutions to protect New Yorkers during this pandemic,” said Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein. “Vaccination is the key to controlling the pandemic and the Vaccine Command Center has been instrumental in leading the charge. New Yorkers are better protected from COVID-19 infection by virtue of its efforts. It has saved lives and helped put New York on a stronger path to economic recovery.”

“The development of the Vaccine Command Center represents the City’s focus on innovative strategies to addressing a complex and ever-changing pandemic," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. "The VCC implemented innovative strategies that focused on fast, effective, and equitable distribution of vaccines. We delivered 11.6 million doses of vaccine directly to New Yorkers through an in-home vaccination program, a vast mobile vaccination fleet, and several brick and mortar sites that safeguarded the health and future of the City. The VCC continues to play a pivotal role in saving the lives of countless New Yorkers.”    

“The city’s Vaccine Command Center is a true team effort, and it has been historic in its scale, scope, and results,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A Chokshi. “I thank the Citizens Budget Commission for this award—and all of the people across New York City who have worked tirelessly to save lives and prevent suffering in our fight against COVID-19.”

The Vaccine Command Center (VCC) is an interagency leadership effort led by Deputy Mayor Melanie Hartzog and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dave Chokshi that has spearheaded this year’s City fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the VCC reports helping nearly six million people get vaccinated by coordinating across City agencies on vaccine distributions plans, outreach and communications, and strategies for increasing both access to, and confidence in the vaccines.

The VCC has been dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of age, race, religion, sex, or physical ability has safe, free and easy access to the vaccine of their choice. The VCC has established long-term community hubs throughout the City with at least 90% of residents in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens having a vaccination site within half a mile of their home.

For those who have trouble traveling to a vaccination site, the VCC established a fleet of mobile and traveling vaccination teams that can visit more than 100 unique sites each week, and an in-home vaccination program that is open to any New Yorker eligible for the vaccine. Through innovative partnerships, the VCC facilitated over 12,000 free rides to and from vaccine appointments, vaccinated over 27,000 people in their homes, and created a program where community organizations, smalls business, or civic groups were incentivized to refer people to get vaccinated in exchange for $100 per referral. Over 250,000 New Yorkers have already taken advantage of the City’s offer for $100 per person upon completion of an individual’s first dose to encourage vaccine uptake.

In its effort to combat misinformation, increase confidence in the vaccine, and increase knowledge about how and where to access the vaccine, VCC partnered with community-based organizations (CBOs), senior centers, faith-based organizations, and other trusted messengers  in communities. VCC canvassers and outreach partners have had over 6 million conversations and knocked nearly 1.5 million doors.

In addition to awarding the prize, CBC gave honorable mention to three Prize applicants: the NYC Test and Trace Corps from the NYC Health + Hospitals and the NYC Department of Health, the Pandemic Response Lab from the Economic Development Corporation, and the COVID Vaccination Campaign from the Department of Health.