Paid Immunity: Should We Receive Money To Get Vaccinated?

Currently, there are around 93 million eligible Americans who can receive the COVID vaccine, but still haven’t got their shots. Public service announcements have reassured us about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, but it seems like it may take more to convince people who haven’t gotten round to getting their dose… A cash incentive perhaps?

A recent survey found that roughly 1 in 3 of the unvaccinated population said receiving a cash payment would increase their likelihood of getting the shot. In fact, in Minnesota, more than 30,000 people signed up for a program to receive a $100 incentive to get their first dose of the vaccine between July 30 and August 15. It seems the extra encouragement is highly welcome! Recently, West Virginia’s governor, Jim Justice announced $100 savings bonds for young people between the ages of 16 and 35 who get vaccinated.

• Alaskans and Minnesotans are prepared to pay the unvaccinated $259 - the most in America
• Half of those already vaccinated think remunerations for shots would be unfair

MyBioSource.com, a biotechnical products distribution company, conducted a survey (3,000) to gauge how much the general public thinks that the unvaccinated should be incentivized in order to get a jab. Floridians, on average, agree that the unvaccinated should be paid a substantial $198 each! This is higher than the national average of $182.

Additionally, respondents in Alaska and Minnesota are most keen to vaccinate their fellow citizens, suggesting a whopping $259 would be a fair compensation. Comparatively, those in Utah would not want the unvaccinated to receive more than $74 each for receiving their dose.

Infographic showing dollar amounts for vaccinations in each state

However, it’s only understandable that more than half (57%) of those that have already been vaccinated think it’s unfair to pay those who are unvaccinated to receive their dose, considering theirs was unincentivized. And going forward, 61% believe if unvaccinated people are going to be paid to get their dose, those who have already had theirs should of course be remunerated in arrears.

Forty-six percent of those who were unvaccinated said they’d be more encouraged to get their dose if they didn’t have to wear a mask in public thereafter.

Finally, nearly half (49%) of respondents also said that preventing unvaccinated people from entering public spaces (like restaurants, coffee shops and malls) will encourage higher vaccination rates.