Why Global Citizens Should Care
While countries around the world continue their vaccination campaigns, dangerous variants of the virus and a slow vaccine rollout in many vulnerable parts of the world are preventing a swift end to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for as many people as possible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to promote the good health and wellbeing of all people. Join us by taking action on this issue here.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 26 and has been updated.

Public health experts have shared the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 since before vaccine doses became widely available. Many of the reasons they list include protecting yourself from contracting COVID-19, helping the world resume normal activities, and preventing the virus from spreading to vulnerable people and raising the global death toll, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To support the global vaccination campaign, many brands and companies around the world have stepped up to encourage people to get the vaccine. In Israel, bars and restaurants partnered with the government to provide free food and drinks to citizens getting their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Times of Israel.

Employers in the United States have offered perks to their employees to get inoculated against COVID-19. Companies such as AT&T, Instacart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Chobani, and Mcdonald’s are offering time off and cash payments to employees who get vaccinated, according to CNBC.

In light of this trend, more businesses in the US have publicized their own offers to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Global Citizen has rounded up a list of nine free items that businesses and brands from across the country are offering upon proof that you have been vaccinated.

1. Doughnuts — Krispy Kreme, Nationwide (US)

Krispy Kreme started to show its support for the country’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts by offering a free original glazed doughnut to anyone who shows their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, according to its website. The offer applies to people who have received at least one shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Michael Tattersfield, the CEO and president of Krispy Kreme, said the deal would entitle those who are eligible to a single doughnut per day and would run through the end of 2021, according to the New York Times.

2. Beer — Budweiser, Nationwide (US) and participating breweries, New Jersey

Budweiser announced that it will give a free beer to anyone over the age of 21 who can show proof of vaccination. The company asks that people first register at ABeerOnBud.com to cash in on the offer. This deal will go through May 16.

New Jersey is also offering the chance to get a free beer with proof of vaccination. The state government has partnered with breweries to offer a free beer to any New Jerseyan aged 21 and older who got their first COVID-19 vaccine dose during May, upon proof of a COVID-19 vaccination card.

3. Cheesecake — Junior's Restaurant & Cheesecake, New York

Junior's Restaurant & Cheesecake is offering a free mini cheesecake to anyone who shows their completed COVID-19 vaccine card at their landmark restaurant at Flatbush Ave. and DeKalb in Downtown Brooklyn, according to CNN. This deal will run through Memorial Day.

4. Dessert-On-A-Stick — White Castle, Nationwide (US)

White Castle is offering a free Dessert-On-A-Stick upon proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Options include the burger chain’s Gooey Buttercake-on-a-Stick, Fudge Dipped Brownie-on-a-Stick, Fudge Dipped Cheesecake-on-a-Stick, and Birthday Cake-on-a-Stick.

The offer is part of White Castle’s ‘Vax for Snacks’ effort, which seeks to support the US vaccination campaign and end the pandemic. The offer is valid through May 31, with no purchase necessary. 

5. Tokens — Up-Down, Midwestern US

An arcade bar chain located across five Midwestern states (Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Oklahoma) started a “Tokens for Poke’ns” campaign, offering free tokens to anyone who can show proof that they have been fully-vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“We'll give you $5 in free tokens as our thanks to you for helping to keep us and the community safe!” the bar posted on Instagram.

6. Rides — Uber and Lyft, Nationwide (US)

As part of a partnership with the White House, ride-share platforms Uber and Lyft are offering free rides to vaccination sites across the US to help people get to their vaccine appointments.

The feature will launch in the next two weeks and run until July 4.

“By helping Americans get a free ride to a vaccination site, Lyft and Uber are eliminating a potential barrier and driving America closer to the President’s goal of getting 70% of the US adult population with at least one shot by July 4th,” a White House statement said.

7. 7-day Unlimited MetroCard — Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York

The MTA is offering a free 7-day Unlimited MetroCard or two one-way Commuter Rail tickets to people who visit one of their pop-up vaccination sites located across eight stations in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. From May 12 through May 16, the pop-up vaccination sites will be administering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, no appointment necessary. 

8. Baseball tickets — New York Yankees and New York Mets, New York

The New York State Department of Health announced earlier in May that it was partnering with baseball teams the New York Yankees and New York Mets to offer free tickets to baseball games to people who get the COVID-19 vaccine at their stadiums.

Both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field are home to a mass vaccination site in New York. Fans who get vaccinated with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine at either stadium will also be given a free ticket to a future baseball game. 

9. $5 Coupons — Target, Nationwide (US)

Target announced that it would give a $5 coupon to any person who receives their COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS at Target location. Appointments must be made using the CVS website and can be scheduled at one of the 1,700 CVS pharmacies inside Targets nationwide.

Around the world, experts and public figures have discussed the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, dispelling myths that cause vaccine hesitancy and sharing the importance of vaccine equity.

As more people become eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine across the country, these national retailers and brands are doing their part to encourage people to learn the facts and help end the pandemic for everyone around the world.

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9 Free Things Businesses Are Offering to Encourage You to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine

By Jaxx Artz