OCCHD asking businesses to offer vaccination Incentives. Vaccination uptake has declined 98%

OCCHD asking businesses to offer vaccination Incentives.

Vaccination uptake has declined 98%

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department continues to encourage residents age 12 and older to get their COVID-19 vaccination.

Now, the agency is asking Oklahoma County businesses to help with the push as well.

OCCHD is encouraging business owners, such as family entertainment venues, retailers, restaurateurs and other operators that are financially capable to offer a discount or free item for people who have a completed vaccination card.

Vaccination incentives have become a trend across the U.S. and vary in opportunity, from a free beer to a chance to win $1 million in a statewide lottery.

Some companies are also offering paid time off to their employees to get vaccinated, such as Dollar General, Aldi, Pepsi and McDonald’s.

“The healthcare community has done all we can to encourage vaccinations; so now we’re hoping that by the business community offering something fun and enticing, more people will step up and get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Patrick McGough, OCCHD CEO. “Whatever little item a business could offer could make a big difference in getting our county to be protected from the coronavirus.”

Since vaccinations were available, Oklahoma County has a seen a 98% decline in its vaccination rates.

On Feb. 26, more than 10,000 people were vaccinated in Oklahoma County. On June 3, only 200 doses were administered.

Having incentives in the county could help boost those numbers and it might be the encouragement that some unsure residents need to get vaccinated, said McGough.

Besides a customer incentive, OCCHD is encouraging business owners to work with their employees and make it easy for them to get vaccinated as well.

To date, only 40% of Oklahoma County residents age 12 and older are fully vaccinated. Appointments are available at VaxOKC.com or by calling the OCCHD hotline at 405-425-4489.