Metro county offering employees $500 to get their COVID-19 vaccine

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Would you get vaccinated if someone offered you 500 dollars? That’s what one metro county is now doing to convince reluctant employees to get their COVID-19 shots.

A few months ago, many people would do anything to get vaccinated. But with vaccine reluctance still strong, Hall County is now promising its employees $500 to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Channel 2′s Tom Regan found that the offer is now sparking jealousy among some who don’t work for the county. Only about 1/3 of the nearly 2,000 Hall County employees have been vaccinated.

The government decided they needed to put some money on the table to get more workers to get their jabs.

“For whatever employee may have been delaying the vaccine, gives them an impetus to go ahead and do so,” said Hall County spokeswoman Katie Crumley. Both newly vaccinated and prior vaccinated employees are eligible for the $500 paycheck perk, which they will receive after proving they’ve been vaccinated.

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“This was all done in an effort to promote community wellness among Hall County employees,” Crumley said.

“Have you been vaccinated?” Regan asked Hall County employee Tracy Gilrey.

“No, but I have an appointment,” Gilrey said.

“So, this $500 changed your mind?” Regan asked.

“Yes, sir,” Gilrey said.

Gilrey told Regan she thought the cash incentive would persuade other workers to roll up their sleeves.

“Several employees I work with have already gotten the vaccine because of this,” Gilrey said.

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