To Encourage Young People To Take Their COVID Jab, West Virginia Will Pay $100 Bond To People Aged 16 To 35

A state in the US is offering incentive to its young people to encourage them to take their COVID vaccine.

West Virginia will offer a $100 savings bond to everyone between the ages of 16 and 35 who gets vaccinated. The state hopes the payment for those in the mentioned age group will "motivate" them to get the jab.

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Governor Jim Justice, made the announcement at a Monday briefing. The proposition is part of an ongoing push to get shots into the arms of younger residents, who have been largely been reluctant to take the vaccine, NBC News reported.

¡°Our kids today probably don¡¯t really realize just how important they are in shutting this thing down. I¡¯m trying to come up with a way that¡¯s truly going to motivate them ¡ª and us ¡ª to get over the hump," Justice said during a news conference.

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Reuters

The incentive means those who are vaccinated within the age group can retrieve the $100, plus interest, at a later date. It will also be offered to anyone aged 16 to 35 who has already been vaccinated.

It was reported that West Virginia's vaccine rollout got off to a strong start earlier this year. But as eligibility expanded, the pace of vaccinations slowed, with many young people sceptical of rolling up their sleeve to get their jab.

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Representational Image/Reuters

West Virginia opened vaccinations to residents ages 16 and older in mid-March but is continuing to prioritize vaccinations for those 65 and older, NPR reported. As of Monday, Justice said, more than 78% of people in the older age group have received at least one dose, while 68.5% have been fully vaccinated.

The payments will be funded by a $1.9tn (?1.4tn) coronavirus relief package, known as CARES, that came into law in the US last month.

The Governor said the state had "vetted this in every way" to ensure the funds can legitimately be used for the savings bonds.

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