States, territories, and local governments are being urged by the Biden administration to pay $100 to Americans who are still unvaccinated against the coronavirus. The move comes as the administration shifts its strategy to focus on more personalized approaches in response to rising cases across the country.
The money for the vaccine incentive payments might come from the $350 billion in relief funds handed to states and towns as part of the economic bailout package enacted by Congress in March, according to the Treasury Department. The goal of the incentive is to “increase immunization rates, safeguard communities, and save lives.”
The administration is also stepping up efforts to persuade businesses to provide time off for employees to get the vaccine.
Employers can claim tax credits for wages paid to workers who take family members to get vaccinated or care for members of their households who are recovering from vaccinations, according to the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service. The tax credits are also available to self-employed individuals.
The plan builds on an April program that provided a paid leave tax credit to companies with fewer than 500 employees to defray the expense of giving paid time to workers obtaining immunizations.
On Thursday, President Biden announced that all civilian federal employees must be vaccinated or face regular testing, social distancing, mask requirements, and travel restrictions. The president also directed the Defense Department to research how and when the coronavirus vaccine should be added to the list of mandatory vaccinations for all military personnel.
The Biden administration has been at odds with several states about how the relief money should be spent, but guidance given earlier this year clarified that it can be used for programs that will increase the number of people who choose to get vaccinated.
The money for the vaccine incentive payments might come from the $350 billion in relief funds handed to states and towns as part of the economic bailout package enacted by Congress in March, according to the Treasury Department. The goal of the incentive is to “increase immunization rates, safeguard communities, and save lives.”
The administration is also stepping up efforts to persuade businesses to provide time off for employees to get the vaccine.
Employers can claim tax credits for wages paid to workers who take family members to get vaccinated or care for members of their households who are recovering from vaccinations, according to the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service. The tax credits are also available to self-employed individuals.
The plan builds on an April program that provided a paid leave tax credit to companies with fewer than 500 employees to defray the expense of giving paid time to workers obtaining immunizations.
On Thursday, President Biden announced that all civilian federal employees must be vaccinated or face regular testing, social distancing, mask requirements, and travel restrictions. The president also directed the Defense Department to research how and when the coronavirus vaccine should be added to the list of mandatory vaccinations for all military personnel.
The Biden administration has been at odds with several states about how the relief money should be spent, but guidance given earlier this year clarified that it can be used for programs that will increase the number of people who choose to get vaccinated.
The Treasury Department said it will cooperate with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance to states and towns to help them use the money to enhance immunizations in their communities.
To encourage people to get vaccinated, states and towns have used innovative methods such as lotteries. However, several experts have expressed worry, particularly in the early days of the immunization campaign.
opposes the concept of paying individuals to acquire vaccines, fearful that it would be seen as contradictory to the message that vaccines provide significant benefits on their own. Opponents of the plan have also questioned if paying people to get vaccinated is the most efficient use of dollars.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week that the city will begin distributing $100 incentives as part of a vaccination incentive program. On Friday, the program is slated to begin.
Mr. de Blasio stated, "I think when someone says here's $100 for you, that's going to have a tremendous impact."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz revealed on Twitter that residents will be eligible for the incentive as well. “Every Minnesotan who gets vaccinated will receive $100 starting July 30! He answered, "All you have to do is roll up your sleeves."
The reward could be an incentive, according to Dr. Elisa Sobo, an anthropologist at San Diego State University who studies vaccine reluctance, but she believes it is unlikely to influence every unvaccinated person. “Some people will be offended by the offer; others will consider it as ‘proof' that the vaccine is ineffective,” she said. “However, there are a lot of individuals who will say ‘why not' to $100,” she remarked.
Some people who have been on the fence until now will see $100 as a good cause to jump off.”
The Treasury stated in May that the relief funds might be used to promote vaccinations “as long as such costs are adequately commensurate to the predicted public health benefit.”
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