Health department pays people to receive vax

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Health Department is offering $100 to anyone 18 or older who receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The department is also offering $25 to anyone 18 and older who drives someone to receive the shot.

The county’s health department opted into a program launched by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services agency on Aug. 3. The state program offers $100 prepaid cash cards after someone receives their first shot of the vaccine at a participating county health departments during the promotional period.

The Summer Card program previously came with a $25 incentive; that amount will now be given to anyone who drives someone to a first dose appointment. According to NCDHHS guidelines, there is not a limit on the amount of times someone can transport people to a vaccination but a driver will only receive one card per visit.

The program started in N.C. after President Joe Biden called for $100 payments to encourage people to get the vaccine. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had previously announced a lottery to award vaccine recipients with cash and scholarship money.

 

By Neal Robbins