Hartford Gives Away Cash, Six Flags Tickets As Vaccine Incentive

HARTFORD, CT — The city of Hartford has announced that residents will be eligible for a $1,000 debit card or one of five separate packs of four season passes to Six Flags if they get vaccinated at a health department clinic this month, according to FOX 61.

Mayor Luke Bronin said people should "get vaccinated to protect your family and friends from this virus, especially now that experts believe the Delta variant is more contagious and much more likely to put you in a hospital," according to FOX 61.

The first clinic will be Sunday, 2-6 p.m. at the Cronin Park soccer field at 490 Granby St. The second will be July 1, 2-6 p.m. at the health department's 131 Coventry St. office.

Anyone interested in a free ride to and from either of the clinics can schedule one by calling 311. The drawing is only open to Hartford residents, who must show ID or a piece of mail with a Hartford address on it at the clinic.

The winners will be drawn in July after the clinics have concluded, according to NBC CT.

Connecticut has one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation. As of June 17, Connecticut residents who have received at least one vaccine dose by age group include 94 percent of those over the age of 65, 84 percent of those between 55-64, 73 percent of those between 45-54, 69 percent of those between 35-44, 60 percent of those between 25-34, 55 percent of those between 18-24, 62 percent of those between 16-17, and 41 percent of those between 12-15.

Connecticut is behind only Vermont and Massachusetts in the rate of total doses administered per population size, according to the CDC.

However, the rising number of Delta variant cases has public health officials concerned.

Connecticut isn't the only state trying incentives to encourage vaccination. In California, Gov. Gavin Newson announced last week that the state would give away 50,000 Six Flags tickets to those who got vaccinated at one of 65 locations, according to NBC Los Angeles.

See related: Coronavirus Delta Variant on Rise In CT, Other Variants Drop