Wisconsinites can get $100, just for getting vaccine

Gov. Tony Evers, along with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), announced that Wisconsin residents who receive their first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine from a Wisconsin provider, between Aug. 20 and Sept. 6, can collect a $100 Visa gift card.

Wisconsinites, ages 12 and older, are eligible for the reward, and proof of insurance, ID or citizenship, are not required to be eligible for the vaccine or to receive the $100 reward.

“As our kids start returning back to school and with the Delta variant spreading rapidly across the state, we all need to step up and stop the spread, and our COVID-19 vaccines are the best tools we have to do just that,” said Evers. “It’s that simple: get vaccinated, get $100. I’m calling on all eligible Wisconsinites who have not gotten their COVID-19 vaccine yet, to step up, roll up their sleeve, and do their part to help protect our state and put an end to COVID-19.”

The $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program is part of the ongoing effort to stop the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, by encouraging Wisconsinites to get vaccinated. Wisconsin continues to experience an increase of COVID-19 cases, driven by the Delta variant, which is much more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19.

With the original strain of COVID-19, an infected person was likely to infect two other people who are likely to infect two additional people, for six cases from one infection. With the Delta variant, an infected person is likely to infect five people, which can lead to approximately 30 cases from just one infection.

“COVID-19 is continuing to spread and mutate into highly transmissible variants, like the Delta variant,” said DHS secretary- designee Karen Timberlake. “Fortunately, the science and data are showing us that we can protect ourselves, and our loved ones, by getting vaccinated.”

Timberlake says the vaccines are extremely safe, and are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.

“And they are critical to protecting our kids, our healtcare workers and the most vulnerable people in our state,” she said. “Let’s not give COVID-19 the opportunity to keep mutating.”

In order to receive the $100 Visa gift card, Wisconsin residents will need to fill out the form available at 100.wisconsin. gov. Information submitted will be used to verify that individuals received their first vaccine dose from a vaccine provider.

Visa cards will be mailed to the individual’s Wisconsin address, and may take up to six weeks to be mailed to participants.

Many Wisconsinites face financial barriers to access the COVID- 19 vaccine – factors such as transportation, childcare or the inability to take time off from work, which can make it diffi cult for many to get vaccinated. The $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program will provide some additional support to those wanting to get protected against COVID-19.

In addition to this reward, Wisconsinites can call 211 to get assistance finding transportation. There are also services offered by national companies listed on the COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives webpage.

For more information on the reward program, visit the DHS $100 reward page or call 844-684-1064. Language assistance is available. To find a COVID-19 vaccine location in your community, visit Vaccines.gov or call 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211.

While the DHS says vaccination is the most important layer of protection against COVID-19, with the high-level of disease transmission in Wisconsin, they are urging everyone to add more layers of protection, including masking up indoors and staying home when feeling sick.