Summary

Governments and organizations worldwide are employing a variety of incentives, from lotteries to dating app perks, to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations.

Abstract

The global effort to combat COVID-19 has led to the development of multiple vaccines, but hesitancy among some populations has necessitated creative incentives to increase vaccination rates. These incentives range from substantial monetary rewards, such as Kentucky's $1 million lottery and New Mexico's$ 5 million prize, to unique offerings like Hong Kong's 60,000 flight tickets. The U.S. has leveraged the appeal of dating apps by partnering with platforms like Tinder and Bumble to offer vaccinated individuals enhanced profiles and other benefits. Additionally, the freedom to go mask-free and enjoy freebies like beer and doughnuts serves as a motivator for some. While these incentives aim to persuade the undecided, they have sparked debate: some view them as effective motivators, while others question the necessity and implications of such strategies, suggesting they might imply that the vaccine is not inherently desirable.

Opinions

Some individuals are skeptical of the vaccine's safety due to the accelerated development process and limited testing.
Governments are facing the challenge of convincing their populations of the vaccine's importance and safety.
The use of lottery prizes, like Ohio's "Vax-a-Million," is seen as a significant motivator for vaccine uptake.
Hong Kong's offer of flight tickets is viewed as a strategic move to revive the travel industry, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
The partnership between the White House COVID-19 response team and popular dating apps is considered an innovative approach to reach younger demographics.
Allowing fully vaccinated individuals to forgo masks is perceived as a significant incentive, especially in communities that value personal freedoms.
Offering free goods, such as Anheuser-Busch's virtual gift cards and Krispy Kreme's daily doughnuts, is seen as a light-hearted and appealing way to encourage vaccination.
There is a concern that providing incentives may inadvertently suggest that the vaccine is not inherently beneficial, potentially fueling further skepticism.
Some, like Doctor Peter Hotez, criticize the optics of incentives in the U.S., contrasting it with countries like India and Brazil where vaccines are in high demand without additional incentives.

Lotteries to Dating Perks— The Creative World of Vaccine Incentives

Carrot or Stick — what works and what doesn’t?

The world has been in battle mode against the coronavirus for almost a year and a half now. Practically no part of the world has been spared.

It all started out in China but has spread like wildfire across the whole world. The healthcare industry worked overtime to develop a vaccine and now there are multiple variants available across the world.

The next hurdle? Convincing people that the “accelerated process” of producing these vaccines and the limited testing doesn’t mean there are significant risks to their health.

Some people are just happy there is a vaccine and are willing to take the small chance of adverse effects, as long as it makes them safer against the virus, yet others are skeptical.

Some just don’t trust anything to do with healthcare or the virus, others don’t trust their governments. So, the challenge is with governments — countries and states — to convince their people to take the vaccine. This has meant a load of incentives that have come out across the world — here is a look at some of them.

#1 — Lottery Prizes — “Shot at a Million”

Lotteries are a common incentive that many parts of the world have offered. Most recently, one of the bigger sums announced was by the state of Kentucky where three adults stand a chance at winning a million dollars, while fifteen kids aged 12–17, will have a shot at the full ride to a Kentucky public college or university.

Ohio’s “Vax-a-Million” was one of the first lottery-based incentives among the states and the trend has since picked up.

New Mexico has recently announced prize money as big as $5 million as a vaccination incentive, ranking right up there among the biggest rewards on offer.

#2 — Hong Kong — As Many As 60,000 Flight Tickets

As ironic as it is, Hong Kong’s international airport is offering as many as 60,000 flight tickets for people who get vaccinated before a September deadline.

Understandably so, as the airport is set to gain the most if the population is fully vaccinated and the borders are opened up for the masses. Hong Kong has had one of the strictest travel restrictions globally, and this has hit the travel market significantly, with major airlines and travel industry companies bearing heavy losses and even closures.

#3 — Match-making Benefits With Your Favorite Dating App

The White House COVID-19 response team has decided to go unconventional in its incentive game. They’re now teaming up with the most famous dating apps including Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and the likes, to give unconventional but possibly effective incentives to today’s youth.

The apps will offer perks and also start to show vaccination status which may boost the chances of people finding a match who is willing to meet them in real life.

Dating has changed significantly during the pandemic — and being safe is a key priority when choosing a partner — and that no longer pertains to just sex!

#4 — Getting Rid of That Mask

One huge change that has come in our daily lives is the fact that we’ve all learned to step out of our homes only with a mask on.

That can’t be something we’re all thrilled about. Especially the freedom-loving Americans who don’t like to be told what to do, especially by governments. The U.S. has hence allowed fully vaccinated people to ditch the mask.

Except where required by Federal or State law, people that are fully vaccinated can go mask-free and stop worrying about the 6 feet distance.

#5 — Beer and Doughnuts!

Who doesn’t love some good food and a drink? Well, that’s exactly what some parts of the world are trying to use as an incentive to get people vaccinated.

Various private brands have chipped in by offering free goodies for people who are vaccinated. Anheuser-Busch is offering a free $5 virtual gift card to purchase a product from their offering.

Krispy Kreme has taken it quite seriously — they’re offering a free doughnut every day if you show your vaccination card — now that’s some incentive for the ones with a sweet tooth. Not everyone’s going to avail a doughnut a day unless they were on a mission to gain weight, but hey the offer’s apparently legit!

Are Incentives Good or Bad?

There’s debate on whether incentives are a smart idea or a bad idea in the quest towards getting people vaccinated.

Some people believe that they may work as that extra boost to get people’s minds across the line, but others believe that it may create further apprehension in people’s minds. If the vaccine is supposed to be good for you, why’d the government need to incentivize people by paying them?

You often bribe people for doing the “wrong” thing, don’t you? By that logic, is there something fishy with the whole vaccine business?

There’s also the optics of it — as Doctor Peter Hotez says about the US:

“When people are clamoring for vaccines in India and in Brazil, it just makes us look like a nation of sulky adolescents…so if it’s absolutely necessary, sure, although it’s tough to swallow”

Well, while there are different camps of belief in whether incentives work or not — and what kind of incentives work the best, the governments around the world will continue to try their best to convince their people to take the vaccine so we can all return to “normalcy” as soon as possible.

I’ve personally had both of my shots as it did seem like the sensible thing to do, but it will remain a personal choice indeed!