Various US cities, states experiment with incentives to encourage vaccinations

Officials are turning to initiatives such as giving vaccine recipients payments through savings bonds, a free drink or gift cards to motivate Americans to get their COVID-19 shot. Public health and psychology experts said these programs have the potential to bring in more people willing to get the vaccine and that incentives are worth a try to close the country’s gap in vaccinations.

This week, West Virginia committed to giving those aged 16 to 35 who get the vaccine $100 in savings bonds to boost the state’s vaccination numbers. Gov. Jim Justice (R) reported on Monday that 52 percent of the eligible state population has received at least one dose and noted the cost would be “so minuscule” compared to what the state has spent and keeps spending on the pandemic.

Connecticut plans to take a different approach in launching its #CTDrinksOnUs campaign through which vaccine recipients will be eligible for one free drink with the purchase of food between May 19 and 31 at participating locations.  

Max Reiss, the director of communications for Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D), said the state’s drink program arose as officials and the restaurant industry brainstormed how to reach “herd immunity” in Connecticut – a point where most of the population is immune to the virus.  ...

City and county governments are also exploring incentive approaches to increase vaccinations, with Chicago working on two programs in which fully vaccinated people would have special access to summer events and special offers for salon and barbershop services. On Wednesday, Harris County in Texas approved up to $250,000 to be used for gift cards, events and other incentives for vaccinated people, The Houston Chronicle reported. 

Starting on Monday, Detroit is offering $50 prepaid debit cards to anyone who drives another person to get their vaccination, as long as they pre-register. Deputy Mayor Conrad L. Mallett said officials hope, through the program, that trusted voices within communities will be inspired to help other members decide to get the COVID-19 shot and therefore raise Detroit’s vaccination numbers. ...

Experts said research shows that incentives can be effective at influencing health behaviors, with Noel Brewer, a professor of health behavior at the University of North Carolina, saying incentives are expected to increase vaccinations by about 8 percent. 

“This idea of letting people choose and empowering freedom of choice could be quite appealing to people on the right and on the left, so this seems like a palatable approach,” Brewer said. ...

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