COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives and Freebies Offered by U.S. Businesses

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations across the United States prompted a wide range of businesses and government entities to introduce incentive programs designed to encourage residents to receive their shots. These initiatives, launched primarily during the spring and early summer of 2021, offered various freebies, discounts, and prize drawings to individuals who could provide proof of vaccination. The incentives ranged from food and beverages to transportation services, entertainment tickets, and even cash prizes, reflecting a broad-based effort to reach the 70% vaccination target set by the White House.

The types of rewards available varied significantly by provider, location, and time frame. While some national brands offered standardized promotions valid across the country, others partnered with local governments or specific venues to provide limited-time offers. Additionally, several states launched their own official campaigns, including lottery-style drawings for substantial cash prizes and scholarships. The following sections detail the specific freebies and incentives identified in the provided documentation.

Food and Beverage Freebies

One of the most widely publicized categories of vaccine incentives involved food and beverage companies offering free products to vaccinated individuals. These promotions ranged from daily free items to one-time meal vouchers.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme launched a highly visible promotion offering a free doughnut to anyone showing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. The offer was valid for the remainder of 2021, allowing eligible individuals to claim one free doughnut per day. While the promotion was popular, it drew some criticism from health professionals regarding the potential impact of daily sugar consumption on public health.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack participated in vaccine incentives through a partnership with New York City. The promotion ran through June 12, 2021. Individuals who showed their CDC-issued vaccine cards at any of the 25 Shake Shack locations in New York City received a free side of Crinkle Cut Fries with the purchase of any burger or chicken sandwich. Furthermore, individuals who received their vaccination at one of the city's mobile vaccine clinics were eligible for a voucher for a free ShackBurger, subject to availability.

Beer and Breweries

Several breweries and bars offered alcoholic beverages as incentives. In Cleveland, Ohio, Market Garden Brewery offered 10-cent beers to the first 2,021 adults who presented a completed COVID-19 vaccine card. Similarly, the state of Connecticut announced a promotion allowing vaccinated residents to get free beers at participating bars and breweries between May 19 and May 31, 2021. New Jersey also introduced a free beer promotion for residents who received their first shot in May 2021.

Unilever

On a specific date, May 14, 2021, Unilever offered free popsicles and Klondike shakes to healthcare workers and individuals who received the vaccine. This offer was valid only at select vaccination sites in specific metropolitan areas: New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Phoenix.

Retail and Service Incentives

Beyond food and drink, various retail and service providers offered practical freebies and discounts to support vaccinated individuals.

Office Depot and OfficeMax

To help protect vaccination cards, Office Depot and OfficeMax offered free lamination services for these documents. This promotion was available through July 25, 2021, at physical store locations.

Transportation Services

Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft partnered with government and healthcare organizations to provide free transportation to vaccination appointments. Uber pledged to provide free rides to appointments at Walgreens, part of a larger initiative to offer up to 10 million free or reduced-rate rides. Lyft partnered with CVS, the YMCA, and other community nonprofits to coordinate free rides for those needing transportation to vaccine appointments.

John Hancock

Life insurance provider John Hancock offered free reward points through its Vitality program to policyholders who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants were required to be part of the Vitality rewards program prior to receiving their shots to qualify.

Entertainment and Sports Incentives

The entertainment and sports sectors also contributed to vaccination incentives, offering tickets and merchandise discounts.

Professional Sports Leagues

The NFL, NASCAR, and Major League Soccer (MLS) announced various incentives for vaccinated fans: * NFL: The league announced a giveaway for 50 tickets to the Super Bowl in 2022. Additionally, vaccinated individuals received a 25% discount at NFLShop.com. * NASCAR: Daytona 500 tickets were offered as a giveaway. * MLS: Vaccinated fans received a 30% discount on merchandise and were entered for a chance to attend the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. * MLB: Some Major League Baseball teams offered ticket deals for vaccinated fans, though specific details were not provided in the source material.

New York State Promotions

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a promotion providing free tickets to New York Mets games from May 24 through June 17, 2021, and to New York Yankees games from May 7 through June 6, 2021, for newly vaccinated people. Additionally, the state offered free weekly subway passes to vaccinated residents.

State-Run Lotteries and Cash Incentives

Several states implemented large-scale government-run incentive programs, often involving lottery drawings for significant cash prizes or scholarships.

Ohio Vax-a-Million

Ohio launched the "Vax-a-Million" campaign, one of the most prominent state-run incentives. The program allowed vaccinated adults to enter a drawing for one of five $1 million awards. For residents between the ages of 12 and 17, the prize was one of five four-year scholarships to an Ohio state school, covering room and board, tuition, and books. An Associated Press analysis indicated that vaccinations in Ohio increased by 33% following the announcement of the lottery.

West Virginia

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that any state resident between the ages of 16 and 35 would receive a state savings bond if they received a vaccination.

Kroger

Following the model of state lotteries, supermarket chain Kroger launched its own vaccine lottery. Individuals who received their COVID-19 vaccine at Kroger or its family of stores could register for a chance to win one of five $1 million drawings. Additionally, Kroger offered $1 million or groceries for a year to employees who got vaccinated.

Memphis, Tennessee

City leaders in Memphis, Tennessee, began a sweepstakes offering a free car to any resident who was vaccinated.

Cannabis Dispensary Incentives

In states where cannabis is legal, dispensaries offered unique incentives for vaccination.

The Mint Dispensary (Arizona)

During the month of March, The Mint Dispensary in Arizona offered a free cannabis edible to anyone who had received one or both shots of the vaccine.

The Greenhouse of Walled Lake (Michigan)

The Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a marijuana dispensary in Walled Lake, Michigan, offered a free pre-rolled joint to anyone over the age of 21 with proof of vaccination. This promotion was conducted in partnership with UBaked Cannabis Co.

Conclusion

The period following the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout saw a diverse array of businesses and government bodies implementing incentive programs to encourage vaccination. These efforts spanned multiple industries, including food and beverage, retail, transportation, entertainment, and healthcare. Promotions included daily free food items, meal vouchers, free rides to appointments, free product lamination, merchandise discounts, and substantial cash prizes through state lotteries. While specific offers were often limited by geography, time constraints, and eligibility requirements, the collective effort represented a significant private and public sector push to increase vaccination rates across the United States during 2021.