Minnesota offers $100 rewards to unvaccinated who get shots

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz says Minnesota will join in the Biden administration’s plan to provide $100 incentives to residents who get COVID-19 vaccinations by mid-August. President Joe Biden announced the rewards as part of sweeping new pandemic requirements for millions of federal workers as he denounced an “American tragedy” of rising-yet-preventable deaths among unvaccinated people.

With the Delta variant pushing cases up in Minnesota and across the country, Gov. Walz joins the national effort outlined in the President’s speech to fight COVID-19. According to the governor’s office, any Minnesotan 12 and older who gets their first COVID-19 shot July 30 through August 15 will receive $100 to spend however they choose.

“President Biden is calling for a nationwide push to make sure our families and communities are vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and Minnesota is ready to join the effort,” Governor Walz in a press release. “We have made so much progress to combat this virus. We cannot give up ground now, especially with students returning to the classroom this fall. Getting paid $100 to keep your family safe is a pretty good deal – all you have to do is roll up your sleeves.”

This big push comes as fall approaches and kids go back to school.

“With school right around the corner, there is no better time to get vaccinated than right now,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “This shot is your ticket to keeping your loved ones, especially our children under 12, safe. The Delta variant is no match for our will to protect our fellow Minnesotans. Now, you’ll even get $100 for your time.”

All Minnesotans qualify for free COVID-19 shots through health care providers, pharmacies and other sources.

How Minnesotans can get their Free Shot:

• Walk in or make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector: VaccineConnector.mn.gov.
• Call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053; Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp.
• Check for vaccine appointments using the Vaccine Finder on https://www.vaccines.gov/ You can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.