Free beer for a shot is New Jersey's latest push for covid vaccinations
Cheers to getting vaccinated.
In trying to b̶r̶i̶b̶e̶ inspire people to take the covid-19 vaccine, authorities in New Jersey are resorting to some interesting methods.
The latest idea was shared by N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy: free beer.
“We’re not going to be afraid to try new things,” Murphy said of the “Shot and a Beer” program during a press conference Monday.
It’s a pretty basic concept: Get a covid shot and take your vaccination card to one of 13 participating breweries for a free brew — provided you are 21 or older.
NEW: We’re launching our “Shot and a Beer” program to encourage eligible New Jerseyans ages 21+ to get vaccinated.
Any New Jerseyan who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May and takes their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer. ? pic.twitter.com/REiHTEa6mi
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 3, 2021
The New Jersey Health Department reports that over 3.2 million residents — 37% of the state’s population — are fully vaccinated. But the number of new daily vaccinations there — like in Pennsylvania and other states — is on the decline.
“The focus of the drive is to get as many new vaccinations as possible,” Dan Bryan, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said to ABC News. “We’re at the point where those who were already motivated got their vaccinations. We’ve now got to focus on those others.”
New Jersey is following in the footsteps of Connecticut, where the “Drinks On Us” program also offers free alcohol.
Chris Pastrick is a TribLive digital producer. An Allegheny County native, he began working for the Valley News Dispatch in 1993 and joined the Trib in 1997. He can be reached at cpastrick@triblive.com.
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