Gov. Tony Evers announces first COVID-19 vaccine incentives
The governor said any Wisconsin resident who gets their first dose of the vaccine by Labor Day will receive $100.
Gov. Tony Evers announced Wisconsin’s first COVID-19 vaccine incentive program.
He made the announcement at an event Monday, August 23, 2021 in Oshkosh.
“As our kids start returning back to school, and with the delta variant spreading rapidly across the state, we all need to step up and stop the spread, and our COVID-19 vaccines are the best tools we have to do just that,” Evers said. “I’m calling on all eligible Wisconsinites who have not gotten their COVID-19 vaccine yet to step up, roll up their sleeve, and do their part to help protect our state and put an end to COVID-19.”
The governor said any Wisconsin resident who gets their first dose of the vaccine by Labor Day will receive $100.
“It’s a good day for Wisconsin,” Evers said.
The payment will be made with a prepaid Visa gift card.
After getting the vaccine, residents must register on a state website in order to receive the $100 payment.
Those who received the vaccine since Aug. 20 are eligible for the payment.
There is no incentive for Wisconsinites who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Residents who do not have a valid email address or need assistance filling out the form can call 844-684-1064, Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Department of Health Services will verify vaccine status with the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to determine payment.
U.S. Bank will administer program payments for Wisconsin.
It may take up to six weeks for payments to be processed.
“COVID-19 is continuing to spread and mutate into highly transmissible variants like the delta variant. Fortunately, the science and data are showing us that we can protect ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated,” DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said.
“The vaccines are extremely safe. They are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. And they are critical to protecting our kids, our healthcare workers, and the most vulnerable people in our state. Let’s not give COVID-19 the opportunity to keep mutating: roll up your sleeve, get your vaccine, and claim your $100.”
It’s not clear if the program could be extended after Labor Day.
Evers did not say how the incentives would be paid for.
Other states that have had similar programs paid for their incentives with federal funds.
The vaccine is available for everyone age 12 years and older.
It’s not clear how many residents might take advantage of the new program.
Evers said he was inspired to roll out the incentive program after seeing how successful it was in Michigan.
He stopped short Monday of announcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Wisconsin state employees.
Also on Monday, the FDA granted full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for anyone age 16 and older.
A little more than 6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered in Wisconsin.
As of Friday, August 20, 2021, 50 percent of Wisconsin residents have received both doses of the vaccine.
