GF to visit incentives for shots

Grand Forks may use incentives to get more young people to roll up their sleeves.  The 19 to 29 year crowd is the lowest age group for COVID-19 vaccinations.  In fact health officials say 12 to 18 year olds have now moved several points higher in the race towards so-called herd immunity.

The council is looking to tap into a gift card program for local merchants as an incentive to lure people to take the jab.  Council President Dana Sande says if you want to target that age group it’s important to set up shop at UND.

The health department’s Michael Dulitz says incentive programs and employer mandates do work.  “The vaccine is fully FDA approved.  Individual employers requiring vaccination as a condition of employment…particularly in the health care setting…would be another opportunity to raise the vaccination rate.”

Just shy of 58% of the population over 12 have received at least one dose of vaccine in Grand Forks County.  The percentages range from over 90% for those in their 70’s to less than 36% among those 19 to 29.

City staff will work on the incentive program in the coming weeks.

(KNOX) – ENTER YOUR STORY HERE. Click the image on the left to replace. Be sure to use MEDIUM size and choose left alignment. Don’t forget to also add the image in featured media and select no image.