States are offering incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations in the form of lotteries, gift cards, event tickets, and other prizes. Teton County just announced their own version of giveaways.
Shots For Swags goal is for 80 percent of Teton County to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least the first dose by July 26. The campaign will have six weekly drawings beginning the week of June 14, and end with a grand prize drawing.
Rachel Wheeler, the Teton County Public Health Response Coordinator, said prizes include gift cards to local restaurants and stores, as well as horseback riding and raft trips. She said obviously some people can’t get the vaccine for certain reasons, but hopes this motivates those who can.
"It's important for us to then be able to not only protect our whole community, but also when more people are vaccinated, the virus doesn't have anywhere to go and spread to," said Wheeler.
As of June 1, the Wyoming Department of Health reported Teton County is 54 percent fully vaccinated. It is the highest fully vaccinated county in the state. Other counties such as Natrona and Laramie have had vaccination incentive events. The Wyoming Department of Health is actively having discussions about vaccine incentives.