Numerous businesses across the United States have introduced promotional incentives to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. These offers range from free food and beverages to financial rewards and essential services. The following guide details the specific freebies and programs identified in the provided documentation, outlining eligibility requirements and redemption processes where available.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several food and beverage chains have established programs rewarding customers who present proof of vaccination.
Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme offers a free Original Glazed Doughnut to customers presenting a valid COVID-19 vaccination card. According to the documentation, this offer is valid at all 369 Krispy Kreme locations in 41 states. The promotion allows for one free doughnut per day for the remainder of the year. No purchase is necessary to redeem the offer. The company's chief marketing officer confirmed the offer is available "anytime, any day, every day for the rest of the year" (Source 3).
Panera Panera announced a promotion providing vaccinated customers with one free bagel per day. This offer is valid from July 2 through July 4. The documentation specifies that no other purchase is required, but the offer is exclusively for customers ordering in person at bakery-cafe locations (Source 6).
Chipotle Chipotle offered a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) entree promotion for vaccinated customers on July 6. The offer was valid after 3 p.m. and required customers to bring a companion to redeem the deal. The chain also previously distributed 250,000 free burritos to healthcare workers as a pandemic-related thank you (Source 6).
Market Garden Brewery In Cleveland, Market Garden Brewery provided 10-cent beers to the first 2,021 adults who presented their completed vaccination card. This specific offer was available through the end of April (Source 1).
Budweiser Budweiser was noted as one of the businesses pitching in to offer free items to fully vaccinated individuals, though specific redemption details were not provided in the source material (Source 4).
Retail and Service Incentives
Beyond food and drink, various retailers and service providers have implemented unique incentive structures.
Walgreens Walgreens offers a $25 incentive for customers who receive their vaccination in-store. Customers with an existing myWalgreens account receive $25 in Walgreens Cash. Those without an account receive a $25 Walgreens gift card instead. This offer was valid through July 3 (Source 6).
Office Depot and OfficeMax To help protect vaccination cards, Office Depot and OfficeMax offered free lamination services for COVID-19 vaccination cards. This service was available through July 25 at both chains (Source 6).
Uber and Lyft Both ride-sharing giants pledged support for transportation to vaccine appointments. Uber provided free rides on appointment days for those getting vaccinated at Walgreens, part of a larger initiative to provide up to 10 million free or reduced-rate rides. Lyft partnered with CVS, the YMCA, and others to coordinate free rides to vaccine appointments through community nonprofits (Source 6).
Instacart Instacart launched the "Get Vaxxed for Snacks" sweepstakes, offering the chance to win free groceries delivered to the winner's front door (Source 6).
John Hancock John Hancock life insurance policyholders enrolled in the Vitality rewards program were eligible for free reward points upon receiving their shots (Source 6).
Cannabis and Dispensary Offers
In states where cannabis is legal, dispensaries have also joined the incentive movement.
The Mint Dispensary Located in Arizona, The Mint Dispensary offered a free cannabis edible to anyone who received one or both shots during the month of March (Source 1).
The Greenhouse of Walled Lake This marijuana dispensary in Walled Lake, Michigan, provided a free pre-rolled joint to anyone over the age of 21 who presented proof of vaccination (Source 1).
Sweepstakes and Financial Incentives
Some organizations have opted for sweepstakes and lottery-style incentives rather than immediate free products.
CVS Health CVS Health announced a sweepstakes for individuals who get vaccinated at CVS stores or show proof of vaccination. Prizes include a trip to the Super Bowl, $5,000 to fund a family reunion, cruises, and cash (Source 5).
State and Corporate Lotteries The documentation mentions that states, health departments, and businesses are offering incentives including million-dollar lotteries to convince Americans to get vaccinated. The White House announced a push to reach 70% vaccination by July 4, with brands and politicians supporting the momentum through giveaways (Source 2, Source 5).
Eligibility and Redemption Processes
While specific requirements vary by offer, several common themes emerge regarding eligibility and redemption:
Proof of Vaccination The primary requirement for most offers is a valid COVID-19 vaccination card. Some businesses, such as Krispy Kreme, accept the card as sufficient proof. Others, like Walgreens, require the vaccination to be administered at their specific location or require linking the vaccination to a rewards account.
Geographic and Temporal Restrictions Many offers are limited by geography and time. For example, the Market Garden Brewery offer was restricted to Cleveland and available only until the end of April. The Panera bagel offer was valid only for three days in early July. Consumers are advised to verify current availability, as many of these time-sensitive offers have likely expired since the documentation was published in 2021.
Age Requirements Certain offers, particularly those involving controlled substances like cannabis, have age restrictions. The Greenhouse of Walled Lake requires customers to be over 21 years of age (Source 1).
Purchase Requirements Some offers explicitly state that no purchase is necessary, such as the Krispy Kreme doughnut and the Panera bagel. Others, like the 10-cent beer at Market Garden Brewery, function as a discount on a purchase.
Conclusion
The documentation reveals a diverse array of incentives created by U.S. businesses to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. These range from daily free food items at national chains like Krispy Kreme to financial rewards and sweepstakes at pharmacies like CVS. While the specific offers detailed in the source material were largely active in early-to-mid 2021, they illustrate the widespread corporate participation in public health initiatives during the pandemic. Consumers interested in current offers should verify directly with the brands, as many of these promotional windows were temporary.