Black Hawk County Health Dept Vaccine Incentive Program Continues

In a follow-up to our June 11th article, C.V. residents can get their shot and maybe win a $500 gift card basket, the first four winners have been drawn with more winners to come this month. 

The goal of the incentive program is to increase the vaccination rate to 75% among Black Hawk County residents by July 29. As of Monday, July 5, 60.1% of Black Hawk County residents age 18+ had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

According to a Black Hawk County Health Department press release, "The first four winners of the Black Hawk County Vaccine Incentive program were drawn on Friday, July 2, and four more winners will be drawn (on each Friday in July). Winners receive a $500 gift card bundle to local downtown businesses, as well as Aldi, Fareway, Hy-Vee, Kwik Star, Target, and Walmart."

The $10,000 to fund the program came was provided by local grant funds from the Otto Schoitz Foundation.

What are the requirements to be eligible to win a prize?

• The recipient must be a Black Hawk County resident, and be age 18 or older.
• The recipient must receive their initial dose of COVID-19 vaccination between the dates of June 11-July 29, 2021.
• The recipient must have a current Black Hawk County address listed in the Iowa Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS).
• Initial vaccines received from any provider administering COVID-19 vaccine are eligible as long as during the dates of June 11-July 29, and the person lives in BHC.

"Our residents are continuing to get vaccinated, that is what is important. Every resident who gets vaccinated is protecting our community. We hope that by adding the chance to win $500 in gift cards, more residents will make that choice.”  said Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye, Public Health Director in Black Hawk County.

 Black Hawk County vaccine clinics

For a complete list of Covid-19 vaccination clinics or places to schedule an appointment in Black Hawk County click here. You can also find a provider and get more information at Vaccinate.Iowa.gov.

Should vaccine incentives even have to be offered?

It's good to see the health department trying to do everything they can to get people vaccinated. But once again, you could debate, why do we have to bribe people to get their vaccine shot?  And why do they get rewarded? 60.1% of Black Hawk County residents have already followed the advice of the CDC experts and got the shot. How come we don't get a prize? Just sayin'.