AKRON, Ohio — Summit County Public Health will be offering $100 gift cards to those getting their first coronavirus shot at its drive thru clinic on Friday.
The clinic will be located at 1867 W. Market St., Akron from 1-7 p.m. Friday. The Visa or Mastercard gift cards will be distributed while supplies last, the department said.
The health department said it will be using the state of Ohio’s vaccine database to verify the dose is the person’s first. Those who have previously received a COVID-19 shot are not eligible.
Summit County Public Health said Friday is a one-time incentive, however President Joe Biden encouraged states to continue offering vaccine incentives in hopes of encouraging those weary of the shot to get vaccinated.
Summit County Public Health said that all three vaccines, ones made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, will be available. On Monday, Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine garnered full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remain under an emergency use authorization.
Adjacent Stark County offered $100 incentives on Aug. 5 and 6. On Aug. 6, 485 got their first COVID-19 vaccination in Stark County, the most in a single day since May, according to Ohio Department of Health figures.
According to Ohio Department of Health, 55.5% of the entire population of Stark County has gotten a COVID-19 shot. The state considers 51.7% of the population fully vaccinated.
