So far, there have been 231 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered to Americans. But the pace is starting to flag, and West Virginia has come up with an idea to spur those on the fence about getting the shots.
West Virginia announced on Monday that residents age 16-35 will get $100 savings bonds when they get vaccinated. Republican Gov. Jim Justice said the plan has been enacted to “jump-start” young people — who are less at risk of severe effects from the virus — to get the shots.
“Our kids today probably don’t really realize just how important they are in shutting this thing down,” Justice said. “I’m trying to come up with a way that’s truly going to motivate them, and us, to get over the hump.”
The governor said he wants younger individuals “to really see and understand that they’ve done something that’s really meaningful.”
“I’m telling you, West Virginia, it’s time to shut this thing down” unless state residents want COVID-19 to “linger forever,” Justice said. He added that the state decided to go with savings bonds instead of cash because cash would be “just … a dash in the pan and a couple of trips to Wendy’s with your friends.”
“Maybe just a real dose of patriotism from the standpoint of a savings bond” would be meaningful to the young, he said. “Our young people should be really, really proud if they help us step up,” Justice said.
Justice estimates the program would cost about $28 million if lots of people take up the offer. “It would be the best money ever spent, like you can’t imagine,” he said. Justice said vaccines will be available at the state basketball tournament in Charleston, and soon will be accessible at mobile units at fairs, festivals, and other events.
State officials say there are more than 375,000 residents between 16 and 35 years old. The state will use money from the $2 trillion federal CARES Act to pay for the saving-bond program. So far, some 52% of West Virginians have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and about 41% are fully vaccinated, according to the governor’s office. Health officials say the statewide mask mandate will be lifted once 70% of residents are vaccinated.
Justice said if 80% of people in the 16-35 age group get vaccinated, the state would pass the 70% threshold. “We need to move from our older population to our younger population,” Justice said. “The young people are the key right now.”
If young people “step up in masses, we’ll be done, and we’ll be done soon” with COVID-19, he said.
Dr. Clay Marsh, who leads the state’s medical response to COVID-19, said the state is “at a critical point in this pandemic response,” according to WVNews.com.
“James Hoyer, who leads the West Virginia vaccine effort, said the state is ‘doing exceptionally well’ with residents getting their second vaccine. He said it’s key to get the second vaccine to have full immunity,” WVNews reported.