Gadsden offers $ 100 to residents who receive COVID vaccine

Residents of Gadsden can now receive $ 100 for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, in a program considered to be an Alabama city’s first incentive program.

And for every 500 residents who get vaccinated and participate in the program, there will be two draws of $ 5,000 each.

The incentive money comes from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds of the American Rescue Plan, the $ 1.9 trillion federal stimulus package approved in March.

“It’s been in the works for several weeks,” said Michael Rodgers, spokesman for the city.

The effort hopes to use the money to improve the number of residents who have received the blow. To date, Etowah County is the 12th most vaccinated county in Alabama, with about 33% of the population. The county is also reporting about 18 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 per day.

The program, Vaccinate Gadsden, is organized in conjunction with the Gadsden-Etowah Emergency Management Agency, Etowah County Health Department, local hospitals and pharmacies. The program is also looking for additional partners to participate in the program, such as doctor’s offices and other healthcare facilities.

But local authorities want this to be clear – the program is only open to residents of Gadsden.

According to the city, residents who receive their first dose of vaccine at the Etowah County Health Department, a participating hospital or pharmacy after July 19, will receive a vaccination voucher. Once both doses of the vaccine have been administered and the voucher has been filled out, residents can come to the first floor of Gadsden Town Hall, 90 Broad St., to receive a $ 100 incentive bonus. Residents must bring the COVID-19 vaccination card provided by their vaccine supplier, along with the voucher, to receive the incentive bonus. In addition, they must bring proof of residence, such as an electricity bill, water bill or tax record.

Those who receive Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine are also eligible, Rodgers said, although most vaccine supplies in Gadsden are mostly two-shot varieties.

Questions about the program or the possibility of becoming a sponsor can be emailed to [email protected]. For updates and pre-recorded messages on Vaccinate Gadsden, including a list of participating providers, citizens can call (256) 563-6120.