COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives and Freebies: A Guide to Available Offers

Numerous businesses, state governments, and national organizations have introduced promotional incentives to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. These initiatives range from free food and beverages to large-scale sweepstakes and financial rewards. The White House has partnered with various entities to support the goal of vaccinating 70 percent of American adults, resulting in a diverse array of giveaways including childcare assistance, gift cards, and travel opportunities.

State-level programs have also played a significant role in increasing vaccination rates. Ohio’s Vax-a-Million campaign, for example, offered vaccinated adults the chance to win one of five $1 million awards and provided residents aged 12 to 17 with the opportunity to win one of five four-year scholarships to Ohio state schools. An Associated Press analysis indicated that vaccinations in Ohio increased by 33 percent following the announcement of the lottery. Other states and local municipalities have implemented their own unique incentives to motivate residents.

Corporate incentives have been widespread across the food and beverage, retail, and service sectors. Many companies launched temporary offers rewarding individuals for providing proof of vaccination. These promotions were often designed to drive foot traffic and reward customers for their health decisions, with offers valid for specific dates or until supplies lasted.

Food and Beverage Promotions

Several major food and beverage brands offered free products to vaccinated individuals. Krispy Kreme provided free doughnuts to customers showing their vaccination card, a promotion that garnered significant attention. Anheuser-Busch announced a national offer to provide a free beer to eligible Americans if the country reached a 70 percent vaccination rate by July 4. This initiative covered brands such as Budweiser.

Panera offered a free bagel per day to vaccinated customers from July 2 through July 4, with no purchase required for in-store orders. Chipotle provided a buy-one-get-one-free entree offer for vaccinated customers who brought a friend, valid after 3 p.m. on July 6. Local establishments also participated; for instance, Vault 31, a bar in Vancouver, Washington, offered free Jell-O shots to customers who provided proof of vaccination.

Retail and Service Sector Incentives

Beyond food and beverage, retailers and service providers offered various forms of support. Office Depot and OfficeMax offered free lamination of COVID-19 vaccination cards through July 25 to help customers keep their proof of vaccination in good condition. Walgreens provided an incentive of $25 in Walgreens Cash or a $25 Walgreens gift card for those who received their vaccine in-store through July 3.

John Hancock, a life insurance provider, offered free reward points to policyholders who were part of its Vitality rewards program and received their shots. Transportation services also facilitated access to vaccine appointments. Uber pledged to provide free rides to vaccine appointments at Walgreens locations, part of a larger initiative to offer up to 10 million free or reduced-rate rides. Lyft partnered with organizations like CVS and the YMCA to coordinate free rides to vaccine appointments through community nonprofits.

Sweepstakes and High-Stakes Rewards

Several companies launched sweepstakes with substantial prizes to encourage vaccination. CVS Health announced a sweepstakes for people who got vaccinated at their stores or showed proof of vaccination. Prizes included a trip to the Super Bowl, $5,000 to fund a family reunion, cruises, and cash. This move was part of a broader trend of high-stakes incentives used by businesses and states to increase vaccination rates.

Instacart promoted the "Get Vaxxed for Snacks Sweepstakes," offering the chance to win free grocery delivery. Participants were required to use the hashtag #DropCovid and tag the company @JoinDrop. These sweepstakes aimed to create excitement and provide tangible rewards beyond the health benefits of vaccination.

State and Local Government Initiatives

State and local governments recognized the importance of making vaccination enticing and developed their own programs. In addition to Ohio's lottery, various other states and local health departments offered incentives to help reach vaccination targets. These programs often acknowledged that while vaccination is a critical health choice, financial or material incentives can effectively motivate individuals who are hesitant.

The variety of incentives reflects a national effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and accelerate the return to normalcy. By partnering with the private sector and utilizing state resources, public health officials aimed to make the vaccination process as appealing and accessible as possible.

Conclusion

The landscape of COVID-19 vaccine incentives was diverse, encompassing free food, retail discounts, transportation assistance, and significant monetary prizes. These offers were generally available for a limited time during the initial vaccination rollout phases. While many of these specific promotions have expired, they represent a significant chapter in the public health response to the pandemic, highlighting how corporate and governmental entities collaborated to promote community health.