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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allison Thrash, Communications, 612-600-9782
On Tuesday, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved an additional $650,000 for Hennepin County’s vaccine incentive program, bringing the total funding allocated to $1 million.
“The goal of Hennepin County’s vaccine incentives has always been to give our public health team another tool to build trust with our communities and, ultimately, drive an increase in countywide vaccination rates—and that’s exactly what we’re seeing” says District 6 Commissioner Chris LaTondresse, who authored the original board action establishing the vaccine incentive program. “Expanding this investment to $1 million means empowering even more of our community vaccination partners to meet our residents in their fears and doubts, in a way that increases trust and decreases vaccine hesitancy.”
Hennepin County’s vaccine incentive program has two components:
- Providing $50 Visa gift cards to people receiving COVID-19 vaccine from Hennepin County
- Providing $3,000 stipends to community-based organizations to help increase vaccination in their communities
The additional $650,000 eliminates the previously stated August 15 end date. Both components of the vaccine incentive program will now continue for as long as funds remain available.
“We are grateful for the additional funding authorized on Tuesday,” said Public Health Director Susan Palchick. “Without it we would have had to discontinue our vaccine incentive program by the end of this week, losing momentum and disappointing organizations seeking funds to encourage vaccinations in their communities.”
Thus far, Hennepin County has provided nearly 3,000 $50 Visa gift cards at its clinics and vaccine events. Additionally, over 40 community-based organizations have received a $3,000 vaccine stipend which can be used to provide food, entertainment, education, prizes and other incentives at vaccine events in their communities.
Impact of the vaccine incentive program
A preliminary evaluation of the incentive program shows an increase in people in Hennepin County receiving first doses of vaccine in August compared to July. First doses of vaccine in Hennepin County are up 55% compared to this time last month. While it’s not possible to directly attribute these increases solely to the vaccine incentive, the momentum is notable.
Additionally, evaluation data shows that 80% of the gift cards have gone to people identifying as Black, Latinx, American Indian, Asian or multiracial. The majority of vaccination incentives — about 75% — were received by residents living in high social vulnerability zip codes (areas in the county where the vaccination rate is lower than the overall county rate). Increasing vaccination rates in these zip codes was one of the original goals of the vaccine incentive program and is consistent with Hennepin County’s ongoing commitment to reducing disparities.
More about the incentive program
Instant vaccine incentives for individuals
Hennepin County is offering a $50 Visa gift card as supplies last to:
- People 18 and older who get a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at any Hennepin County vaccine event
- Parents/guardians of youth 12+ who get a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at any Hennepin County vaccine event
- Unaccompanied youth able to consent who get a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at any Hennepin County vaccine event
People who receive both doses at Hennepin County events will get two $50 Visa gift cards. These are county sponsored vaccine events, so there is no charge for the vaccine, and you do not need to be a Hennepin County resident to participate. Limited walk-ins are accepted. Pre-registration is preferred. Gift cards are provided on site following vaccination.
For questions, call the COVID-19 navigator line at 612-348-8900. Help is available is English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.
Find more information about the Hennepin County vaccine incentive program and upcoming Hennepin County vaccine opportunities at hennepin.us/vaccineregistration.
Between now and August 22, people can also receive an incentive from the State of Minnesota, making it possible to earn up to $200 in vaccine incentives — $100 from the state and up to $100 from Hennepin County — depending on the timing for the shots. To learn more and register for the State’s program please visit: mn.gov/covid19/100/.
Vaccine stipends for community organizations
Hennepin County is also offering community organizations up to $3,000 in stipends to use toward vaccine incentives. Examples of incentives that community organizations may offer include food, entertainment, vaccine education events, gift cards and thank you packs.
Community organizations can apply for a stipend at hennepin.us/community-vaccination.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.
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