COLUMBUS, Ohio — Franklin County residents can continue to claim $100 vaccine incentives for another four weeks as Columbus Public Health extends its “Vax Cash” program, officials announced Monday.
The health department said it can continue to offer the COVID-19 vaccine reward after receiving additional funding from the state. The incentive program, which launched on July 6, was set to end Monday.
In late July, President Joe Biden backed $100 vaccine incentives, calling on states and local governments to make the cash amount available to their residents getting vaccinated.
Franklin County residents who begin vaccination at one of eight locations will receive the incentives on Visa gift cards.
In the first week of the reward program, officials said that vaccinations surged. Since then, the program has continued to spur vaccinations, Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said in a statement.
“We’ve seen this program work to bring more people to our clinics, especially people of color and younger people,” Roberts said. “As cases continue to rise locally, we need this extra incentive to increase vaccinations to protect health and prevent hospitalizations from the delta virus.”
The rewards will be available through Sept. 10 at Columbus Public Health’s walk-in clinic Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and at seven neighborhood satellite locations from noon-7p.m. Appointments are not required for vaccination.
According to the health department, 9,385 people have gotten vaccinated through Vax Cash. In total, 55% of Franklin County residents have started vaccination, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
