Minneapolis-Based Target To Pay Workers To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Target announced Wednesday that it will pay front-line team members to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Minneapolis retailer will provide workers with up to four hours of pay to get vaccinated — two hours for each vaccine dose.

Target said it will also provide all U.S. team members with free Lyft rides, up to $15 each way, to get to and from their appointments if they need it.

“Taking care of our team has been at the heart of every decision we’ve made since the coronavirus started, and this point in the pandemic is no different,” Chief Human Resources Officer Melissa Kremer said in a news release. “As more vaccines become available, especially for front-line and essential workers, we’ll help our team members across the country get the information and access they need. As we have for the past year, we’ll continue to invest in our team’s pay and benefits so they can take care of themselves, each other and our guests.”

Although the retail giant will offer workers compensation to get the vaccine, it says getting the vaccine will not be mandatory for them to come to work.

As vaccine roll out still remains in the early stages, availability continues to be limited and eligibility in the U.S. varies by each state. Minnesota is presently vaccinating health care personnel and long-term care residents as well as a limited number of adults age 65 and older as well as educators (pre-kindergarten through grade 12), school staff and child care workers.

"We’re encouraging team members, once they’re eligible, to get the vaccine where and how they can — whether that’s through their local pharmacy, clinic, healthcare provider or a state or city-run event," Target officials said.

Target said it is also working with CVS, which has more than 1,700 locations in Target stores nationwide. Once states determine final timing and prioritization for front-line and essential workers and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allocates vaccines for the public, Target officials said CVS will evaluate these locations for offering the vaccine to team members and guests in the future.

Target follows a list of major retailers offering to pay its employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Lidl, Dollar General, Aldi, Trader Joe's and Tractor Supply are just some of the major chains that have also offered to pay workers to get vaccinated.