Columbus City Council has signed off on paying people to get vaccinated against coronavirus. The Vaccine Green initiative approved last night will pay people $50 for each two-dose vaccine they get, or $100 if they get the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Council president Shannon Hardin said the initiative is meant to incentivize people who otherwise might not be able to miss work to get vaccinated.
“If I had one of those jobs where I had to stand on my feet for eight hours and I did not have paid time off, you actually lose something by doing something that helps yourself and helps the community,” Hardin said.
The fund will be overseen by the Columbus Urban League, as part of its program providing income replacement for residents who lost work due to COVID-19.
“It was really important that we put these dollars out on the street to not just encourage folks, but to support folks in making this decision to keep themselves healthy and keep our community healthy,” Hardin says.
The program will cost the city $275,000. City Council will vote on the proposal at its regular hearing June 14.
