The City of Bethel is offering $100 gift cards as incentives for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Anyone who gets their first COVID-19 shot in Bethel on or after June 14 can receive one of the cards. There are 450 available, and they can be used at local Bethel grocers: Corina’s Caselot, Swanson’s Grocery, and Alaska Commercial Company.
The money for the program comes from a $45,000 grant from the Alaska Chamber of Commerce. The grant is designated for projects that increase COVID-19 vaccinations in the state.
If you receive a vaccine from Bethel Family Clinic, you can pick up a gift card at the clinic immediately following your first shot. If you get a vaccine from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, you can bring your vaccine card to the utilities office at the Bethel Public Works building at 1155 Ridgecrest Drive to pick up a gift card. Vaccines and gift cards will also be available at the June 19, July 17, and August 21 Saturday Markets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bethel Cultural Center.
City of Bethel Grants Manager John Sargent said that he got the idea to use $100 gift cards as vaccine incentives from cities in the lower 48 using this method to boost vaccination rates.
