Topline
According to County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the Houston area's Covid-19 vaccination rate has increased more than sixfold in just a few days. This was after Harris County began giving away $100 for the first dose in one of the most successful vaccine incentive programs in the country.
Harris County residents who were not vaccinated came out in large numbers to receive their first dose of Covid... [+] vaccination last week, after the county began giving away $100 as an incentive. getty
The Key Facts
Before the launch of the Covid program last Tuesday, Harris County Public Health was giving away approximately 430 Covid vaccine shots per day. This marked the beginning of a significant spike. Hidalgo reports that there were 914 doses distributed on Tuesday followed by nearly 1,600 doses Wednesday and Saturday. This boost in vaccinations comes at a time when Texas is experiencing a Covid epidemic. The state has nearly 15,000 new cases per day, and hospitalizations are nearing pandemic levels. According to Texas' Department of State Health Services (DSHS), there are currently 13,346 people in Texas who have been diagnosed with Covid-19. This number is rapidly approaching the pandemic high of 14,218 as reported on Jan. 11.
Important Quote
Hidalgo stated that we expected to receive a positive response from the $100 incentive. However, we were not sure what we would see. She said that the lines at Covid vaccination sites were the longest in several months.
Important Background
Harris County is among many areas that have started to give out $100 for Covid shots. This was after President Joe Biden, late last month, urged local governments use stimulus funding to create incentives programs. The guarantee cash is expected to do a better job of convincing Americans not to get vaccinated than other programs such as lotteries. Ohio was the first state to announce a drawing to win a cash prize in May. This led to a slight increase in vaccinations, but it would soon stop and fall. There were also lotteries in Louisiana and Oregon where the vaccination rate declined over the period of the lottery. Studies have shown that the lottery programs were a failure. Despite the fact that more people are offering $100 incentives programs, and vaccines are increasing in popularity, not all programs are successful. West Virginia began offering $100 vaccinations to residents 16-35 in May. However, vaccination rates declined following the announcement.
Tangent
New York City was one of the first to adopt a $100 vaccine program. Payments began there on July 30, and continued until August 31. Since vaccination rates increased by 40% in the first week of the NYC program, it is widely being considered a success.
What to Watch
Harris County will open two new mass vaccination centers this week in response to increased demand. According to Hidalgo, the two sites can serve approximately 4,500 people per day.
Continue reading
After offering $100 for the first dose, Texas' largest county saw a sixfold increase in vaccine rates (The Texas Tribune).
Biden Requests $100 Cash Payments to Newly Vaccinated Americans (Forbes).
Ohio Vaccine Lottery Gave away $5 Million, but Didn't Increase Vaccination Rates. New Study by Forbes
Ohios $1 Million Lottery Boosted Vaccinations By 45%, Gov. According to Forbes, More States Will Follow the Lead of Ohio (Forbes).
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