OSHKOSH — Gov. Evers announced Monday afternoon that the state will be offering $100 Visa gift cards to any Wisconsin resident who gets their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
"It is time folks," Evers said. "I'm calling on all eligible Wisconsinites who have not got their COVID-19 vaccine to step up, roll up your sleeve, and do your part to help Wisconsin put an end to COVID-19 once and for all."
Just over 50 percent of the state -- 2,937,586 people -- had been fully vaccinated as of Monday.
Driven by the Delta variant, there are still hundreds of new cases a day, up from just dozens during periods in June and July.
Ever's announcement follows the FDA's full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Previously, Pfizer, as well as other available vaccines, had only been authorized for emergency use.
At the City of Milwaukee Health Department's Northwest Health Health Center, visitors queued on Monday afternoon in car and on foot for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations.
Sarelle Joiner, at the clinic with her son, already had COVID-19 once.
“I felt like my life was over. I don’t want to have that feeling again," said Joiner.
She received her first vaccination Monday because of a workplace requirement, and to protect her son, but she plans to sign up for the cash reward.
“It may get people to come out and want to get it [vaccination] done. Hopefully. We’ll see," said Joiner.
Greg Leftwich, a retired business owner, has been vaccinated for months. He came out to the clinic for a booster shot, a recommendation by his health care provider because he's immunocompromised as a kidney transplant patient.
"That's a great incentive," Leftwich said of the cash for shot program. "But also more important, though, even if you take away that incentive, it's still about your health, [choosing] between a good life and hospitalization."
The incentive lasts until Sept. 6 and requires that you get the vaccine in the state. Eligibility for the $100 is backdated to Aug. 20.
Anyone can get the gift card regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Once you get the vaccine, you should go to the DHS website (100.wisconsin.gov), in order to get your $100 Visa gift card. If you need help, call (844) 684-1064.
Milwaukee Health Department Community Clinics are open on the following days and hours:
Mondays and Fridays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12 - 6 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.