Many states are offering incentives to get people vaccinated against COVID-19. In some places, the incentives are working out, but others are struggling.
Arkansas has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country despite offering several incentives. That includes giving out scratch-off lottery tickets and gift certificates from its game and fish commission. But the state has admitted that those giveaways just aren't working.
Experts say Arkansas needs to figure out what really does persuade people to get vaccinated. For some, it's not always material rewards.
“People are already feeling uncertain if the vaccine is entirely safe and effective, and really important. It's possible that they'll look at something like a small token incentive as a kind of payment. And then think 'I don't know if my sense of uncertainty can be bought with something that has a $20 value,’” said Jennifer Reich, a sociology professor at the University of Colorado-Denver.
Another thing that may prevent people from getting the vaccine is logistics. Some parents may be worried about child care, not only while they're getting a vaccine, but also days after the shot, if they experience side effects. Others may not have transportation to a vaccination site.
In these cases, it may be a better option to offer more functional or useful incentives.
“Some of those folks are motivated by having access at their workplace, by having time off while they get it, and making it as easy as possible to access,” said Reich.
But experts warn that whether it's about coronavirus or another illness, there will always be a group of people who are just not motivated to get vaccinated. Ultimately, it's best for public health officials to find the root of people's concerns about the shot before coming up with an incentive plan.
Serikali nyingi za nchi zinawapa watu fursa ya kupata chanjo dhidi ya COVID-19. Katika sehemu fulani, vichocheo vinafanya kazi, lakini nyinginezo zinajitahidi. Arkansas ina kiwango cha chini cha chanjo nchini licha ya kutoa motisha kadhaa. Hiyo inatia ndani kutoa tiketi za bahati nasibu na vyeti vya zawadi kutoka kwa tume yake ya michezo na samaki. Lakini serikali imekiri kwamba zawadi hizo hazifanyi kazi. Wataalamu wanasema Arkansas inahitaji kujua ni nini kinachoshawishi watu kupata chanjo. Kwa wengine, si zawadi za kimwili sikuzote. "Watu tayari wanahisi kutokuwa na uhakika ikiwa chanjo ni salama kabisa na yenye ufanisi, na muhimu sana.""" Inawezekana kwamba watatazama kitu kama kichocheo kidogo cha ishara kama aina ya malipo. """Sijui kama hisia yangu ya kutokuwa na uhakika inaweza kununuliwa kwa kitu ambacho kina thamani ya dola 20,"" alisema Jennifer Reich, profesa wa sosholojia katika Chuo Kikuu cha Colorado-Denver." Jambo jingine ambalo linaweza kuwazuia watu kupata chanjo ni vifaa. Wazazi wanaweza kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya utunzaji wa mtoto, sio tu wakati wanapata chanjo, lakini pia siku baada ya risasi, ikiwa wanapata athari za upande. Wengine huenda wasiwe na usafiri wa kwenda mahali pa chanjo. Katika kesi hizi, inaweza kuwa chaguo bora kutoa vichocheo zaidi kazi au muhimu. "Wengine wa watu hao wanachochewa na kuwa na upatikanaji mahali pao pa kazi, kwa kuwa na wakati wa kupumzika wakati wanapata, na kuifanya iwe rahisi iwezekanavyo kupata", alisema Reich. Lakini wataalamu wanahofia kuwa iwe ni kuhusu virusi vya corona au ugonjwa mwingine, daima kutakuwa na kikundi cha watu ambao hawajachochewa kupata chanjo. "Kwa hivyo, ni bora kwa maafisa wa afya ya umma kupata mizizi ya wasiwasi wa watu juu ya risasi kabla ya kuja na mpango wa motisha. """