COVID cases continue to climb in Louisiana as a sizeable portion of state residents have abstained from getting the vaccine. A new program hopes to change that.
Health officials have repeatedly said that mass vaccinations are a key component of mitigating the COVID pandemic, which has raged since March 2020.
To promote getting the shot, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health announced Shot For 100, a new vaccine incentive program.
How Does The Shot for 100 Program Work?
Here’s how Shot for 100 works: The state that will give $100 to the first 75,000 college students who get their COVID-19 vaccine at participating colleges and universities. The program is aimed at younger Louisianians who have shunned the vaccine so far.
Statistics show that those aged 18-29 are one of the two least vaccinated age groups in Louisiana. Those age groups are also responsible for the brunt of new cases statewide.
“With the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant and its devastating impact on our communities including younger populations, we are seeing more young people go sleeves up. And that’s good. More than anything, students want an in-person college experience. But to do that safely, we need more shots in arms,” said Gov. Edwards. “It’s in everyone’s interest that our young people get the COVID vaccine – to protect themselves, their families and friends, and their larger communities.”
“COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge statewide, and that includes young people. Louisianans are getting it, they are feeling the urgency as you can see in our increasing vaccination rate,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “We hope this fun vaccine perk nudges more young people to get the vaccine now rather than later and keep up the momentum we need to put this pandemic behind us.”
All institutions of higher education will be eligible to participate, including universities, community and technical colleges, and private institutions.
LDH is working closely with the Louisiana Board of Regents, and they are communicating to colleges and universities that this new reward program is available to them.
