State Employees Rewarded With $100 For Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

MARYLAND — State employees who are on the fence about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine now can earn $100 for rolling up their sleeves and getting the shot. All state employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible for this program, too.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the financial incentive Monday.

“With this incentive program, we are further encouraging state employees to get vaccinated to help keep themselves, their families and their communities healthy and safe,” Hogan said in a news release. “Incentives like this are another way to reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated and we strongly encourage businesses across the state to consider offering incentives to their workers as well. These vaccines are safe and effective, they’re free and they’re readily available with or without an appointment.”

As of May 3, Maryland has reported more than 4.9 million vaccinations. According to official CDC data, 62 percent of Marylanders 18 and older, and 84.8 percent of Marylanders 65 and older have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

For those who are already vaccinated, all they need to do is provide their human resources office with proof of vaccination and agree to receive all subsequent CDC recommended booster vaccinations within 18 months of being fully vaccinated.

One caveat: individuals who refuse subsequent CDC-recommended booster vaccinations after receiving the vaccination incentive will be required to repay the state the $100 vaccination incentive.

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Marylanders 16 and older who can book an appointment to get vaccinated at covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling the state's COVID-19 vaccination support center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). The support center is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Marylanders can get vaccinated without an appointment at six mass vaccination sites. Walk-up vaccinations are open to all eligible Marylanders at these locations:

• M&T Bank Stadium (Pfizer), 1101 Russell St., Baltimore; Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.*
• Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (Pfizer), 1 W Pratt St., Baltimore; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, for Baltimore City residents only
• Greenbelt Metro Station (Pfizer). 5717 Greenbelt Metro Dr., Greenbelt; Monday-Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Moderna), 550 Taylor Ave., Annapolis; Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.*
• Wicomico Civic Center (Pfizer), 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury; Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Hagerstown Premium Outlets (Pfizer), 900 Premium Outlets Blvd., Hagerstown; Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

*Note that walk-ups will not be offered at these sites on the days of large sporting events.

State officials said walk-up times and vaccination capacity may vary, and residents should be prepared to wait, depending on demand. If you need a second dose only you may use walk-up lines. Only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for 16- and 17-year-olds.