Kroger grocery chain to pay workers $ 100 to get Covid vaccine

The Kroger grocery chain announced on Friday that it would pay its employees $ 100 to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

According to a report by NBC’s West Palm Beach, Fla. Affiliate WPTV, the company offers an incentive to frontline grocery workers as well as employees in its supply chain, manufacturing divisions. , pharmacy and call center.

“We know that the most effective defense against this pandemic comes in the form of the COVID-19 vaccine and maintaining the rigorous safety precautions we have established in our stores, manufacturing plants and supply chain,” said Dr. Marc WatkinsKroger’s chief medical officer said in a statement. “We strongly encourage all of our customers and associates to receive the vaccine to curb the spread of COVID-19, and we will do everything possible to ensure that they have access to it as soon as it becomes available.”

Kroger’s decision, which marks the first company to pay its employees to get vaccinated, comes amid a larger debate about the risks and benefits of attaching financial incentives to an individual public health decision.

Currently, grocery store workers are categorized by the CDC as a “Phase 2” priority group, after frontline health care workers and older Americans. As the nationwide vaccine rollout continues to gain momentum, this large cohort may not begin receiving vaccines for several weeks.

For Kroger employees who can’t take the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, the company said it will continue to provide the $ 100 bonus after taking a health and safety course.

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