Cash For Kids Shots: Here’s Where Children Can Get Paid For Getting The COVID Vaccine

As pharmacies and doctors’ offices across the U.S. begin doling out the Pfizer COVID vaccine to kids this week, several states and cities are offering incentives for children to get their shot in a push to get more people vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that over 193.2 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, accounting for 58.2% of the U.S. population.

There are about 28 million children who are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine that was authorized for children aged 5 to 11 by the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Sharing this life-saving vaccine with our children is a huge step forward and provides us all with more confidence and optimism about the future,” said American Academy of Pediatrics President Lee Savio Beers in a statement about the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children.

Here’s a look at what cities and states are offering perks to children that get their COVID shot:

New York City

New York City is offering cash to kids who get their first dose of the COVID shot. Here, children will receive $100 in the form of a pre-paid debit card after their first inoculation of the vaccine at a city-operated vaccine site.

In place of the debit card, kids can choose to receive tickets to city attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, a public theater annual membership, New York City Ferry 10-Ride Pass, Brooklyn Cyclones tickets, or a two-week membership to Citibike, to name a few perks.

The city was already offering an incentive program to adult vaccine recipients.

Chicago

The city of Chicago is offering kids that get their COVID shot a $100 Visa gift card when they get their vaccination at Chicago Public Health events or clinics.

The windy city has also designated Nov. 12 as Vaccination Awareness Day and is closing all schools for the day to allow all children the ability to get vaccinated.

In a letter to parents posted on Twitter, Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez said, “It is rare that we make a late change to the school calendar, but we see this as an important investment in the future of this school year and the health and well-being of our students, staff and families. I hope you strongly consider getting your children vaccinated on Vaccination Awareness Day.”

Louisiana

The state of Louisiana is extending its "Shot for $100" promotion and said it will offer it to children aged 5 to 11 soon. Participants will need to get their COVID shot at a community-based vaccination site, where they will receive a $100 Visa gift card. The offer will last until Nov. 30 or while supplies last.

Officials said that as of Oct. 27, 19,031 people have taken advantage of the program.

Minnesota

Minnesota is also launching a shot-for-cash program with the “Kids Deserve a Shot” promotion. This program gives a $200 Visa gift card to shot recipients aged 12 to 17 and enters the kids into a $100,000 college scholarship and Minnesota prize experience raffles.

It is unclear if the program will be extended to children aged 5 to 11.

San Antonio, Texas

Beginning Nov. 10, children can get the COVID vaccine at a public health clinic in San Antonio, Texas, and their parents or guardian can claim a $100 gift card for groceries at H-E-B stores, CNN reported.