West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced on Monday that residents between the ages of 16 and 35 will get a $100 savings bond when they receive the COVID-19 jab.

"Our kids today probably don't really realize just how important they are in shutting this thing down," Justice said. "I'm trying to come up with a way that's truly going to motivate them – and us – to get over the hump."

The age group makes up about 380,000 residents and while many have already gotten at least one dose, “they’re not taking the vaccines as fast as we’d like them to take them,” Justice said. Those who have received both doses are still eligible to also get this bond.

This initiative is being funded by the CARES Act.

West Virginia's vaccination effort started off strong at the beginning of 2021, but it's falling behind as COVID-19 cases rise in teens and young adults. The state now has the 16th-highest rate of new COVID-19 cases, and ranks 12th in hospitalizations in the entire nation, a New York Times database stated.

Those 16 and over entered the vaccine eligibility pool in the middle of March. The state ranks 29th in the nation when it comes to vaccinations, according to NPR’s vaccine tracker. Roughly 29% of the state’s population have received both jabs, and 35.3% have received at least one.

US experts say the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine should be administered
US experts say the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine should be administered AFP / Joseph Prezioso
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