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For a time, it seemed like we were managing Covid effectively. Many of us adhered to social distancing and mask guidelines, allowing life to resemble “normal” once more. Children returned to school (thank goodness), and we started swapping our loungewear for real clothes, trading in worn-out slippers for shoes with actual support. But alas, the situation has shifted.
Current statistics are less than ideal. Nearly two years into the pandemic, the U.S. is not where we had envisioned. Just last week, there were 115,862 new Covid cases. We’re no longer just facing the original virus; new variants like Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta have emerged, and it’s uncertain how far down the Greek alphabet we’ll go.
While many were willing to wear masks (albeit reluctantly), which significantly helped protect us all, we now possess another form of defense—the vaccine. Yet, only 58.2% of Americans are fully vaccinated, and 25% outright refuse the vaccine. The remaining 27.8% are uncertain. Without convincing this hesitant group to get vaccinated, it’s doubtful we will overcome Covid anytime soon.
The CDC and health officials like Dr. Fauci have inundated the public with information about vaccine safety and efficacy. However, it appears that mere facts may not be enough to sway the undecided.
Various strategies are being employed to encourage vaccination. From yard signs proclaiming, “I’m vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect my community,” to endorsements from celebrities like the Dalai Lama and Britney Spears, the effort is widespread. Dolly Parton even created a catchy video where she humorously alters her famous song to promote getting vaccinated, playfully urging the unvaccinated to stop being “chicken squat”—a priceless moment.
The “I got my Covid-19 vaccination” stickers are nice, and the “regret videos” from patients connected to tubes encouraging others to get vaccinated could be eerily persuasive. But how effective are these approaches overall? Perhaps somewhat effective.
What seems to have a more substantial impact, however, are vaccine incentives. These range from lackluster to incredibly appealing, and different incentives resonate with different individuals. For example, Teton County, Wyoming, is offering “shots for swag,” while Indiana provides a box of Girl Scout cookies (likely not even Thin Mints!). Minnesota is offering free or discounted drinks at participating locations, which is slightly more enticing.
Some incentives are more substantial. New Jersey is giving away free beer, while Krispy Kreme offers a free donut every day. Washington is luring potential vaccine recipients with gaming consoles and smart speakers, Maine with hunting and fishing licenses, and Nevada with state park passes and amusement park tickets. Maryland even offers $100 to its employees if they get vaccinated.
In Alabama, the Talladega Superspeedway is enticing individuals aged 16 and over with the thrill of driving on a 2.66-mile track alongside a pace car. This might sound thrilling to many and could draw them to a vaccination site.
In some cases, the stakes are even higher. West Virginians aged 12 to 17 can win full-ride scholarships to any state college or university, and Illinois residents have a chance to enter a $10 million vaccine lottery. Californians are competing for $10.5 million in prizes, and Michiganians are in the running for a daily $50,000 drawing.
According to the New York Times, these incentives are making a difference. A study from the U.C.L.A. Covid-19 Health and Politics Project revealed that one-third of the unvaccinated individuals said they would be more inclined to receive the vaccine with a cash incentive. Interestingly, the most significant impact was seen among those offered $100, which increased the likelihood of vaccination by six points compared to a $25 incentive.
Ohio experienced a surge in vaccinations after launching their Vax-a-Million lottery, with rates rising by 28% in just under a week. While Democrats appear more likely to respond to financial incentives, self-identified Republicans have shown more responsiveness to the easing of behavioral restrictions, with an average increase of 13 points in vaccine willingness.
Hawaii has taken a creative approach, promising a year of pizza from Papa John’s and airline tickets, alongside the promise that all restrictions will be lifted once the state reaches a 70% vaccination rate.
Some critics dismiss incentives as mere bribery, but if they work, I’m all for it, regardless of the label. Others argue that they don’t work, and in some cases, that’s true. Not every incentive appeals to everyone. For instance, someone with modest goals and a sweet tooth might be tempted by the Girl Scout cookies, while another person might be drawn to vacation packages. Yes, some anti-vaxxers might remain unmoved by any amount of cash or perks. I wish, however, that the desire to return to a semblance of pre-Covid normalcy would be enough for everyone.
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Summary:
Various U.S. states have become inventive in their approaches to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations, offering a range of incentives from simple stickers to enticing prizes like scholarships and cash lotteries. While public health officials have provided extensive information on vaccine safety, innovative incentives appear to be having a more significant impact on increasing vaccination rates. Some states are also introducing unique offers, such as free food, rides on racetracks, and lotteries, to motivate hesitant individuals to get vaccinated.
Keyphrase: vaccine incentives
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