Promise Of Free Ticket To Aquarium Was Worth A Shot: Tampa Mayor

TAMPA, FL — A wildly successful vaccination drive Wednesday has led the city of Tampa to plan more incentive-driven events.

More than two dozen people converged on The Florida Aquarium to receive free doses of the Pfizer vaccine from AdventHealth employees along with a ticket to the aquarium.

The campaign, dubbed "Ticket to Outside," was intended to increase the number of young adults age 18 to 24 years old receiving coronavirus vaccinations. The event was originally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. but the overwhelming response prompted the city to extend it for two hours to accommodate students age 12 and up who showed up after school with their parents to get vaccinations.

The aquarium ticket vouchers that were handed out are good through the rest of the year.

During the city's first effort to vaccinate Generation Z (ages 18 to 24) more than 60 came out to a mobile vaccination clinic in Ybor City May 7 and 8 to get a shot, listen to disc jockeys and pick up freebies from Ybor City businesses.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor launched the vaccination campaign after learning that the 18- to 24-year-old age group ranks No. 1 in Hillsborough County for coronavirus cases.

The city plans to take its "Ticket to Outside" campaign back on the road to neighborhoods within the next week, offering another undisclosed incentive to get vaccinated.

See related stories:

• Get A Vaccination Shot, Get A Free Ticket To Aquarium Wednesday
• Tampa Encourages Gen Z To Think Vaccination Before Vacation