Freebies And Incentives For Vaccinated Americans In 2021

A variety of companies and organizations across the United States have offered free products and incentives to individuals who received the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly during the vaccination push in 2021. These offers span several categories, including food and beverage, workplace benefits, and cultural events. While many free items are available at the national level, some are restricted to specific regions, such as New York City, New Jersey, or areas in the Philadelphia metro. Offers typically require presentation of a vaccination card as proof of eligibility and may be subject to limitations regarding time frames and supplies.

Free Food and Drink Offers

Several food and beverage brands have provided complimentary items to individuals who can show they are vaccinated against COVID-19. These programs were designed to encourage vaccination, particularly in areas where participation had slowed or had initially been low.

Krispy Kreme, for example, has offered a free glazed doughnut to any customer who presents proof of vaccination. This offer is available at all U.S. locations and can be redeemed on any day. The promotion was available for the rest of the year at the time of the reporting, and no additional purchases are required to claim the free treat.

Budweiser has also been a key player in offering free items. Between a stated date range and while supplies lasted, individuals who registered through the company’s website were eligible for a free beer if they could show a vaccination card. The process required people to first register at “mycooler.com,” and then present the proof at ABeerOnBud.com to claim the free item.

Nathan's Famous hot dog stand in Coney Island has provided a free hot dog to vaccinated individuals on the day they were vaccinated. However, this offer is only available to people who visit Nathan's on the same day they received their shot and is restricted to those in New York City.

Junior's Cheesecake has offered free mini cheesecakes to individuals who show their vaccination card at their Brooklyn location, though the offer was only valid in New York City. The promotion was available through Memorial Day.

White Castle offered a dessert-on-a-stick as a free item for people who presented proof of vaccination between April 22 and May 31. The company provides four types of this dessert item, including Gooey Buttercake-on-a-Stick and Fudge Dipped Cheesecake-on-a-Stick. No other food items need to be purchased to claim this limited-time offer.

Office and Specialty Store Offers

Some companies have extended incentives to help vaccinated individuals preserve their proof of inoculation. Staples and Office Depot, for instance, have offered free laminating services for vaccination cards. This is an important service for people who wish to keep their cards in good condition for future reference or validation, and the offer is available at all U.S. Staples locations with no confirmed end date.

State and Institutional Incentives

Beyond individual brands, some states have also implemented incentives for vaccination. For example, West Virginia previously proposed offering a $100 savings bond to residents aged 16 to 35 who received the vaccine. Meanwhile, New Jersey introduced a “Shot and a Beer” program where individuals who received a vaccine were eligible for a free beer. These offers reflect a broader strategy to encourage broader participation in mass vaccination efforts.

Rowan University in New Jersey offered a significant incentive to students. Full-time students who presented proof of full vaccination by a specified date were eligible to receive a $500 credit for courses and another $500 for housing. This was a direct financial incentive tied to vaccination and aimed at encouraging enrollment in vaccine programs.

Some baseball teams and professional leagues have also used cultural incentives. In New York, the Metropolitan and New York Yankees teams offered free game tickets to individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson shot at a local event. Similarly, the NFL held a program where fans who shared their vaccination reasons were eligible to receive Super Bowl tickets.

In Chicago, the city launched a monthly concert series reserved exclusively for vaccinated residents. This initiative is one example of how local governments sought to use access to entertainment as a motivation for public health improvement.

Workplace and Employee Incentives

Several U.S. companies have offered incentives targeted specifically at the workplace. These include paid time off, direct cash payments, and other benefits designed to make it easier or more rewarding for employees to take time for vaccination.

In addition to offering free food for consumers, some national retailers have provided employees with financial or time-based incentives for receiving the vaccine. Companies such as Aldi, Target, McDonald's, Trader Joe's, and Dollar General have offered employees up to four hours of extra pay for being vaccinated. In the Philadelphia area, Lidl and Petco made cash incentives part of their initiatives—Lidl offered $200 and Petco gave $75 to employees who received the vaccine.

Not all companies incentivized vaccination. Some have instead imposed mandates or consequences. For example, a major news organization, CNN, required employees to be vaccinated for in-office work, and as reported, chose to terminate unvaccinated employees who did not comply. The Minnesota Vikings fired a key coaching staff member for refusing the vaccine, in compliance with NFL guidelines.

Other corporations, such as Tyson Foods, have also introduced vaccine requirements for their workers. This was notable because Tyson is among the first companies to implement such policies for frontline workers, and because it faces considerable union opposition. A different approach was taken by Vanguard, which offered a $1,000 reward for proof of vaccination.

Broader Health and Preventative Incentives

The federal government also played a role in the vaccination incentive landscape. One key development for vaccinated individuals was the announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that those fully inoculated could avoid mask wearing in most outdoor settings. This was a major shift in public health guidance and served as a long-term incentive for individuals to complete their vaccination.

A survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed the potential importance of these types of incentives. For example, individuals who were hesitant about getting a vaccine cited paid time off as a key factor in motivating them. Similarly, a promised cash reward of $200 was also effective in conversion for many respondents.

The ultimate incentive for vaccination remains the vaccine’s efficacy itself. The rollout of the vaccine has led to a drop in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. These public health improvements have provided a non-monetary benefit that is now being experienced by many Americans.

Geographic Restrictions and Offer Specifics

While many free items are available nationwide, some are only accessible in certain regions. For example, Nathan's Hot Dogs, Nathan’s Famous free hot dog offer, and Junior's Cheesecake promotions are all specific to New York City. The concert series for vaccinated residents in Chicago is another geographic-specific incentive.

Several of the food and drink offers, such as those by Budweiser, Nathan’s, and Krispy Kreme, require presentation of proof of vaccination, usually in the form of a vaccination card. Some, such as Nathan's Hot Dog offer, have specific timing requirements—for instance, the free hot dog is provided only on the day the individual was vaccinated.

Some programs also have limited durations. For example, White Castle's dessert-on-a-stick offer was valid from April 22 to May 31, and some were contingent upon available supplies. These limitations should be carefully reviewed before attempting to claim a free item.

It’s also important to note that for some offers, such as the New York teams’ ticket incentives, the vaccination must be received at the event or through an in-person opportunity at a local site.

Public Health and Community Encouragement Programs

Beyond individual incentives or business promotions, some initiatives use community motivation or event-based incentives, such as sports tickets or music series, to encourage vaccination. These broader campaigns align with public health goals and aim to create a social and community-based motivation for vaccination.

The Super Bowl ticket giveaways by the NFL serve as a unique example of how public figures or events can be linked to important public health initiatives. These types of programs work on the principle of giving vaccinated individuals a sense of exclusivity or access to high-demand events, thereby making vaccination more appealing.

Local concerts or other events are another form of community-based initiative. By making such events exclusive to vaccinated attendees, cities such as Chicago and others encouraged a greater proportion of the public to seek out vaccination. This strategy is effective in areas where vaccines have already reached wide distribution, making it easier to implement and enforce vaccine access policies.

Summary of Key Offers and Benefits

The following table summarizes the offers that have been discussed, including the name of the company, the free item or benefit, the required proof of eligibility, the availability or time frame, and any geographic restrictions:

Conclusion

In the course of the vaccine rollout in the United States during 2021, various organizations have used incentives to encourage vaccination among the public. These incentives ranged from free food and drink items to cash payments, paid time off, and access to exclusive events. While the majority of these offers required a vaccination card for proof, not all were available nationwide. Instead, several programs had regional restrictions or were limited to the timing of the vaccine rollout. Consumers were encouraged to be aware of these restrictions and to apply for these rewards before they expired or supplies were exhausted.

By implementing a combination of material, financial, and cultural incentives, companies and public health officials have aimed to increase vaccination rates and improve public health outcomes in the country. As the pandemic shifts in phases, the role of mass vaccination remains central in reducing the spread and impact of the virus.

Sources

1. Official Sample Request Page
2. Promotional Announcement
3. Vaccine Reward Program
4. More Freebies Offered During Pandemic
5. Business Response to Vaccination Requirements
6. Philadelphia News Report