NJ Gov: Want a Beer? Get a Shot First

Launches 'Shot and a Beer' vaccine program to encourage residents to get vaccinated
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 4, 2021 1:40 AM CDT
New Jersey Governor Launches 'Shot and a Beer' Vaccine Program
Neha Desai, a registered nurse with Atlantic Care, gives Gov. Phil Murphy his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Atlantic City Convention center, Friday, April 9, 2021 in Atlantic City , N.J.   (Tim Hawk /NJ Advance Media via AP)

New Jersey apparently wants its residents partying this summer—safely. As part of "Operation Jersey Summer," Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday the state is launching a "Shot and a Beer" program. "Any New Jerseyan who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May and takes their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer," Murphy tweeted. The state is making walk-up COVID-19 vaccine appointments available, and has also launched a program to help people go directly from religious services to vaccination sites, NBC News reports. About 37% of the state's population is fully vaccinated. Starting May 19, coronavirus-related restrictions in the state will be greatly eased, Murphy also announced Monday.

"We need that push" to get more people vaccinated, a public health expert tells ABC News. "You have to find a way to motivate people. This is one way to do it." And other states appear to agree: In Connecticut, vaccinated people can get a free drink this month; in West Virginia, anyone between the ages of 16 and 35 who gets vaccinated will receive a $100 savings bond. Last month, the New York Post put out a list of companies offering freebies to those who flash their vaccine card. (More coronavirus stories.)

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