Racine Sun

Proud of his city for achieving a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 19%, Racine Mayor Cory Mason doesn’t want to rest on those laurels.

Mason took to Facebook to remind residents of the ongoing vaccine incentive program, which awards those who receive their first jab a $50 gift card.

He said in a city press release that the timing for citizens choosing to get the vaccine couldn’t be any better.

“[COVID-19] cases are on the rise locally, and students are returning to the classroom,” the mayor said. “The best way to protect yourself, your family and our community is by getting vaccinated. We have been hard at work scheduling mobile clinics throughout the community which are designed to meet people where they are, staffed with trusted community partners like nurses from the Racine Kenosha Black Nurses Association and our Vaccine Champions.”

The 19% rate was achieved between the first and second halves of August, which the city largely attributes to state and city incentives.

Vaccine first-timers aren’t just limited to one gift card.

Under the incentive’s “Good Neighbor” feature, they can receive more for bringing friends to get vaccinated, the city said.

While Racine may appear to have found success with gift cards, state vaccine incentives have barely increased vaccination rates.

CBS News reported that new research from the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the University of Pennsylvania shows promises of free cash or other offers have no effect.

“[It] means we did not see more people coming into get vaccinated in the immediate aftermath of the introduction of these statewide incentives," Harsha Thirumurthy, associate director of CHIBE, told CBSN.