- Free donuts, restaurant discounts, and other promotions are being offered to customers who receive a COVID-19 vaccination
- Businesses offer incentives as a way to encourage vaccination and a return to pre-pandemic conditions
- To date, 17.6 percent of the U.S. adult population has been vaccinated
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Businesses are appealing to Americans’ love of free stuff to help encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
Krispy Kreme has launched a year-long promotion offering a free original glazed donut to anyone who can present a vaccination card at one of their locations. Other promotions have included restaurants offering discounts or gift cards, discounted or free rides from Uber or Lyft, and even recreational marijuana businesses offering free edibles.
Such incentives demonstrate how small businesses can play a role in promoting vaccination efforts and boosting enthusiasm for a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Business owners offering promotions for vaccinated customers have said they might help persuade people who are uncertain about receiving the dose or highlight how widespread vaccinations will help people resume social activities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 vaccine tracker, more than 128 million doses have been administered and 17.6 percent of the adult population of the United States has been fully vaccinated. In Connecticut, 536,736 people were fully vaccinated as of Friday and 33 percent of the population ages 16 and older had received at least one dose.
