It is not a traditional boilermaker, but New Jersey is promising a free beer to those who go out and get a shot — of the vaccine kind.
Governor Phil Murphy announced on Monday that residents over the legal drinking age of 21 who receive their first Covid-19 vaccine dose in the month of May and take their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer.
[Preventative public service announcement from the Financial Times: DO NOT LOSE YOUR VACCINATION CARD]
Murphy highlighted 13 participating breweries across the state in a message on Twitter.
The announcement mirrors a scheme set to go ahead in Connecticut, which is part of the tri-state area alongside New York and New Jersey. Governor Ned Lamont said late last month that from May 19, fully vaccinated Connecticuters will be eligible for a free drink at participating restaurants (a food purchase will be required).
New Jersey has joined a growing list of states, cities and businesses that are offering, or considering, incentives in an effort to arrest a slide in the pace of vaccinations and push the population towards herd immunity.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice recently suggested a programme that would have offered a $100 savings bond to any resident of the state aged between 16 and 35 who receives their Covid-19 vaccine. However, the he conceded on Monday state officials have had difficulty trying to set the scheme up and that it may not go ahead as previously planned.
Detroit is offering $50 prepaid debit cards to any pre-registered individual who compels another resident to receive their jab at selected vaccination sites.
Some businesses have also taken to offering incentives to customers as well as their own workers. Krispy Kreme has offered a free doughnut a day for the rest of 2021 to anyone with proof of their Covid-19 vaccination.
Employers including McDonald’s, Target, AT&T and Kroger are among those to have offered time off, extra money or in-store credit to workers who receive their vaccine doses.