More than 55K Minnesotans claim $100 vaccine incentive; program to continue for extra week

Gov. Tim Walz announced Sunday that the $100 incentive program for newly vaccinated Minnesotans will continue for an extra week.

Since Aug. 4, 55,456 Minnesotans have claimed their $100 Visa gift cards after receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the state’s weekly first-dose vaccination rate increased by 129% over the last month, according to a news release.

“Great news, Minnesota: You have more time to get $100 just for rolling up your sleeves,” Walz said in a statement. “With the Delta variant pushing cases up across the country, including right here in Minnesota, we’ve entered a new phase in the battle against COVID-19. The vaccines are the way we fight back against the virus. Get your first dose today and get $100. Simple as that.”

Anyone 12 or older who has gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since July 30 can register for the award online. The program will remain open through Aug. 22.

Meanwhile, the weekly rate of kids ages 12 to 17 getting their first dose of the vaccine has more than doubled since the state started pushing its Vax to School campaign to get children fully vaccinated in time for school. According to Walz’s office, 20,000 kids have gotten their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine over the past two weeks.

The state’s weekly vaccination rate has increased each week since July 11, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Health. So far 66.1% of all Minnesotans ages 12 and older have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 64% of people in that age range have completed the vaccine series.