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

The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has been accompanied by various initiatives aimed at increasing uptake and supporting communities. Across Georgia, these efforts have taken the form of mobile clinics, community events, and corporate partnerships. These programs often provide not only the vaccine at no cost but also additional incentives such as gift cards, hygiene products, and other giveaways. The following guide details the specific offers and events available in Georgia, as well as broader corporate programs that may apply to residents.

Mobile Clinics and Community Events in Georgia

Several organizations have established mobile clinics and community events to facilitate easy access to COVID-19 vaccinations. These events are designed to reach specific populations, including the uninsured, students, and general residents, often providing additional resources and incentives.

CORE Georgia and The Salvation Army Partnership

In an ongoing effort to provide COVID-19 and flu relief services to residents of Georgia, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) Georgia has partnered with the Salvation Army of Toccoa. This partnership facilitated a mobile vaccine clinic offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. The event took place on Thursday, December 19th, at the Salvation Army Toccoa Service Center at 306 E. Franklin Street, Toccoa, GA 30577. The clinic operated from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and was open to the general public as well as populations served by the Salvation Army Toccoa.

A significant incentive was offered to encourage vaccination among uninsured individuals. Eligible uninsured individuals who received the COVID-19 vaccine at this event were given a $100 gift card, while supplies lasted. This was a one-time event, and registration was required.

CORE administered the 2024-2025 Pfizer vaccine at no cost to uninsured individuals who had not received the newest version since its release in the fall of 2024. In addition to the vaccine and gift card, the event provided free giveaways including hygiene products, condoms, socks, and other freebies.

Bibb County School District Back to School Bash

The Bibb County School District PBIS organized a "Back to School Bash" to help families prepare for the new school year. This drive-through event was held on a Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Ed Defore Sports Complex on Heath Road in Macon.

The event was open to all Bibb County School District students. In addition to distributing school supplies, uniform shirts, and community resources, the Bash offered free dental screenings and COVID-19 vaccines. A notable incentive for younger recipients was a $50 gift card provided to kids who received the vaccination.

Cascade Hills Church Clinic

A free COVID-19 vaccine clinic was held in the parking lot of Cascade Hills Church in Columbus. The clinic began at 9 a.m. and concluded around 2 p.m. It was open to anyone 16 years old or older. This event was noted as the last mass vaccination site in the area at the time, as a vaccination site was already operating at the Columbus Civic Center.

Corporate Incentive Programs

Several national corporations have implemented incentive programs to encourage vaccination among both their employees and the general public. These programs range from free food items to paid time off.

Krispy Kreme's Vaccine and Monday Promotions

Krispy Kreme has been prominent in offering vaccine-related incentives. The chain offered a free Original Glazed doughnut to anyone who showed a valid COVID-19 vaccination card. This promotion was available at all 369 Krispy Kreme locations in the United States and was valid for the remainder of the year in which it was announced. Locations in the Philadelphia area were specifically mentioned, but the offer was nationwide.

In addition to the vaccine-specific offer, Krispy Kreme launched a separate Monday promotion. This promotion, which ran through May 24 of the relevant year, provided a free medium coffee and a free Original Glazed doughnut to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. This offer was available at participating U.S. shops while supplies lasted, with some location exclusions including Puerto Rico, Times Square, Dothan, Alabama, and Uncasville, Connecticut. No purchase was necessary for the Monday promotion.

Krispy Kreme also supported its own employees by offering up to four hours of paid time off for each COVID-19 vaccination.

Other Corporate Employee Incentives

Several other major companies offered paid time off or cash incentives to employees who received the COVID-19 vaccine. These included:

Aldi, Target, Trader Joe's, McDonald's, and Dollar General: These companies promised employees up to four hours of extra pay for getting vaccinated.
Lidl and Petco: These retailers offered cash incentives to employees. Lidl offered $200, and Petco offered $75 for getting the vaccine.

While some of these programs were targeted at employees, they represent a broader corporate effort to facilitate vaccination.

Past National Initiatives

National campaigns have also played a role in promoting vaccination within specific communities. One such initiative was the "Fresh & Vaxxed" campaign, presented by Shea Moisture in collaboration with the National Urban League, the National Action Network, and the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation.

This campaign aimed to provide a family-fun space for individuals to receive free haircuts and hairstyling, SheaMoisture product giveaways, and COVID-19 vaccine information. Onsite COVID-19 vaccines were available for those who decided to get vaccinated or boosted. Past events took place in cities such as Houston, TX, Philadelphia, PA, and St. Louis, MO, offering features like holiday health festivals, vaccination clinics, and giveaways.

Conclusion

In Georgia, COVID-19 vaccine incentives have been delivered through a combination of local community events and broader corporate programs. Mobile clinics, such as the one organized by CORE Georgia and the Salvation Army in Toccoa, provided significant financial incentives like $100 gift cards to uninsured individuals, alongside other freebies. Community-focused events, like the Bibb County School District's Back to School Bash, offered smaller gift cards to encourage youth vaccination while providing essential school resources. Corporate programs from companies like Krispy Kreme offered free food items to the general public, while other retailers provided financial incentives to their employees. These diverse initiatives highlight the multi-faceted approach taken to support public health efforts.