Freebies With Every Vaccination!

This is ridiculous. These people should be getting their vaccine because it's the right thing to do, not because you get freebies in return.

Are we going to see the same thing when flu shots are administered in the Fall?

From Time magazine's Coronavirus Brief: 

BY MANDY OAKLANDER

Take a Shot, Get Free Stuff

You'd think that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 would be enough of a reward all by itself. Doing so can protect you, with stunning efficacy, from getting severely sick—not to mention avoiding hospitalization and death. But that's not enough for many Americans, who may need to be enticed by a little something extra to get the life-saving shot. Politicians, companies and lawmakers have been more than happy to provide a nudge: Vaccine incentives so far have ranged from free Krispy Kreme donuts to $100 savings bonds to statewide lottery tickets.

Today, U.S. President Joe Biden, who's pushing to get 70% of Americans vaccinated by July 4, announced a new suite of national-level incentives—including free beer—to goose the country's lagging vaccination rate. (About 54,000 people are now getting their first shot every day, compared to about 3 million in mid-March.)

Deal-sweeteners from the White House's partners include a free beer from Anheuser-Busch for Americans 21 and older once the U.S. reaches Biden's 70% goal; a CVS-sponsored sweepstakes in which vaccinated people can win free cruises, Super Bowl tickets and cash; free tickets from Major League Baseball; a giveaway for a year of free United Airlines flights; and the chance to win a year of free groceries from Kroger. (Here's a complete list of freebies.)

The White House is also launching other outside-the-box programs intended to improve vaccine access and uptake. Four major child care providers are offering free services for parents and caregivers who get vaccinated between now and July 4, for instance. And a new initiative to reach Black Americans will launch in June: barbershops and beauty salons across the country will host vaccination events and provide vaccine information. Though Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show that only about 9% have at least one dose, compared to 61% of white Americans.

Vaccination is the strongest tool we have to defeat the pandemic. The government knows it and will try plenty to convince you, too—starting with a cold beer.

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