Beer, weed, doughnuts: How countries are enticing people to get Covid vaccine

Beer, joints, doughnuts and cars — these are just a few of the vaccine incentives being offered around the world. Have your say.

Beer, joints, doughnuts, cheesecakes, cars, houses, even a cow — these are just a few of the dizzying array of incentives being offered up by authorities and companies around the world in a bid to win over the vaccine hesitant.

Last week, Joe Biden moved to encourage America’s slowing vaccination rate, calling on states to offer $US100 ($A130) to the newly vaccinated.

Mr Biden conceded that the cash grab may seem unfair to already vaccinated Americans, but “we all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated”.

Some US states, however, had more left-field incentives.

In Washington state, where marijuana use is legal, authorities have been offering “joints for jabs”, where those freshly jabbed will walk out with yes, a marijuana joint.

People line up for ‘Joints for Jabs’ in Long Beach, California. Picture: Shutterstock

One happy customer, Megan Krest, was thrilled by the incentive.

“I think it’s a really cool way for people to, you know, incentivise getting their vaccine,” she told Reuters.

California’s beachside town Long Beach followed suit, setting up a one-day pop-up vaccine clinic, giving away a free pre-rolled joint to those who took the plunge and got poked.

Another similar event took part in New York’s Union Square.

In hard-hit Moscow, the city’s mayor last month announced the city would give away five new cars a week over a month-long period in an attempt to spur more residents to get vaccinated.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that anyone over 18 who received the first of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine during that period would be automatically entered into a draw to win a car.

Governments and businesses around the world are getting creative to encourage vaccinations. Picture: AFP

In the Philippines, authorities have offered up everything from a cow to a bag of rice, to motorcycles and even a new house to entice people to get vaccinated.

Some US states are holding lotteries for vaccinated residents, with cash prizes on offer.

California authorities have just finished giving away two million $US50 ($A67) cash cards for those who could prove they had been vaccinated, while certain vaccination sites in the state are giving away tickets to mega US amusement park Six Flags.

Budweiser offered free beer in the US. Picture: Getty Images

West Virginia’s governor, Jim Justice, announced in April the state would give residents aged between 16-35 $US100 ($A138) bonds if they voluntarily received an inoculation.

In London, the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, offered up tickets to the Euro 2020 final as part of a vaccination drive.

Brits were in with a chance to score tickets to the recent Euro 2020 championships. Picture: AFP

Entrants who posted on social media about having or booking the vaccine were entered into the draw twice.

And last month, US President Joe Biden, announced that four of the country’s largest childcare providers would offer free childcare to parents and caregivers getting a COVID-19 vaccine until July 4.

But it’s not just governments who are offing incentives, businesses are getting in on the act, too — from free beer in Israel to complimentary dessert in Malaysia.

In Hong Kong, a property developer raffled off a $A1.8 million apartment for people who have been vaccinated.

Who wouldn’t want a free doughnut? Picture: OMG Darling Downs

American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme has an ongoing promotion that will give each person who presents their vaccine card – whether they’ve had one or two shots – a free doughnut.

Major US beer companies, such as Budweiser and Sam Adams, have also offered free beer to vaccinated Americans.

Elsewhere in the US, major food chains and retailers, such as popular grocery outlet Trader Joe’s and Aldi to retailers like Dollar General, Olive Garden and McDonald’s, are offering employees time off or extra pay.

As Australia struggles with its vaccination drive, perhaps it’s time to think outside the box.

Over to you, Scott Morrison.

Originally published as Beer, weed, doughnuts: How countries are enticing people to get Covid vaccine