COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives: A Guide to Freebies, Rewards, and Promotional Offers Available to Vaccinated Individuals

Vaccination against COVID-19 has been the primary strategy for protecting public health throughout the pandemic. Beyond the medical benefits, a wide array of businesses, state governments, and organizations introduced promotional incentives to encourage vaccine uptake. These incentives ranged from free food and beverages to financial rewards, travel opportunities, and essential services. The offers detailed below were active during 2021, primarily targeting adults who had received at least one dose or were fully vaccinated. While many of these specific promotions were time-limited, they illustrate the scope of corporate and governmental support for vaccination efforts.

Food and Beverage Incentives

One of the most visible categories of vaccine incentives involved free food and drinks. These offers were often available immediately upon showing proof of vaccination at participating locations.

Krispy Kreme: The doughnut chain offered a free original glazed doughnut to anyone who showed their vaccination card. This was an ongoing promotion available at participating locations.
Budweiser: Anheuser-Busch announced a program to give away free beer to vaccinated adults age 21 and older. The promotion required individuals to visit a website to claim a digital coupon redeemable for a 12-pack of Budweiser or a Budweiser draft at a bar or restaurant.
Sam Adams: Samuel Adams offered a free beer to vaccinated individuals. Details on the specific redemption process were available through their promotional channels.
Nathan’s Famous: The hot dog chain provided free hot dogs to those who could show proof of vaccination.
Grocery Store Discounts: Several grocery chains, many operating under the Albertsons Companies umbrella, offered a 10% discount on purchases for customers who received their vaccine at an in-store pharmacy. Participating stores included:
- Albertsons
- Carrs
- Haggen
- Jewel-Osco
- Pavilions
- Tom Thumb
- Randalls
- Safeway
Target: Customers who received their COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS pharmacy located inside a Target store received a $5 coupon for use on a future purchase.

Financial and Sweepstakes Rewards

Financial incentives, including lotteries and sweepstakes, were employed by both state governments and private corporations to generate excitement and encourage vaccination.

Ohio Vax-a-Million: Ohio launched a high-profile lottery campaign offering five weekly drawings for $1 million prizes for vaccinated adults. For younger residents aged 12 to 17, the state offered five weekly scholarships to an Ohio state university, covering tuition, room, board, and books. According to an Associated Press analysis cited in the sources, vaccinations in the state increased by 33% following the announcement of the lottery.
CVS Health Sweepstakes: CVS Health launched the "#OneStepCloser" sweepstakes, open to anyone aged 18 or older who received a vaccine at a CVS location, through a CVS clinician at a long-term care facility, or at a Return Ready or off-site clinic. Individuals vaccinated before June 1, 2021, were also eligible. The sweepstakes ran from June 1 to July 10, 2021, and featured over 1,000 prizes, including:
- 125 prizes of $500
- Five $5,000 family reunion packages
- 100 seven-day cruises for two on Norwegian Cruise Line
- A VIP trip for two to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, provided by Procter & Gamble
John Hancock: Policyholders enrolled in the John Hancock Vitality rewards program could earn reward points for receiving their COVID-19 vaccine.

Travel and Transportation Support

Several companies in the travel sector offered free or discounted services to facilitate access to vaccine appointments or to reward vaccinated individuals.

Uber: Uber pledged to provide free rides to vaccine appointments at Walgreens locations. This initiative was part of a larger effort to offer up to 10 million free or reduced-rate rides to help people get to and from their appointments.
Lyft: Lyft partnered with organizations such as CVS and the YMCA to provide free rides to vaccine appointments. These rides were coordinated through community nonprofit partners.
United Airlines: The airline offered free flights as part of broader incentive programs, though specific details on how to claim these rewards were not fully detailed in the provided sources.
Cruises: As part of the CVS sweepstakes, 100 seven-day cruises for two were offered on Norwegian Cruise Line.

Essential Services and Documentation

Beyond food and financial rewards, some businesses offered practical services to support vaccinated individuals.

Office Depot/OfficeMax: These office supply chains offered free lamination of COVID-19 vaccination cards. This service was available through July 25, 2021, to help individuals protect their vaccination records.
Childcare: The White House partnered with organizations to provide free childcare, allowing parents to attend vaccination appointments without logistical barriers.

State and Federal Government Initiatives

The White House partnered with over 1,000 businesses and organizations to promote vaccination. The goal was to reach 70% of American adults with at least one dose by July 4, 2021. Incentives promoted through this partnership included gift cards, free flights, and childcare.

How to Access Incentives

While specific requirements varied by offer, the general process for accessing these incentives typically involved one of the following methods:

Show Proof of Vaccination: Presenting a CDC vaccination card at a participating business location was the most common method for receiving immediate rewards like food or discounts.
Register Online: Some offers, such as the Budweiser beer or the CVS sweepstakes, required individuals to visit a specific website to register, verify their vaccination status, and claim a reward.
Receive Automatic Credit: For insurance-related rewards, such as those from John Hancock, points were often credited automatically to the policyholder's account upon verification of vaccination.

Conclusion

The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines prompted a diverse ecosystem of incentives designed to support public health goals. From free doughnuts and beer to million-dollar lotteries and travel packages, businesses and governments leveraged a wide range of rewards to encourage vaccination. While these specific offers were largely active in 2021, they represent a significant moment in the intersection of public health and consumer marketing.