HOUSTON – Are you in need of some extra cash and haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine yet? Houston Health Department is launching a new program to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
The six-week initiative will award 12 people $1,000 gift cards and provide $50 gift cards to hundreds of additional people.
Starting Jan. 29 through March 10, Houstonians can get their first dose or booster shot at an eligible health department vaccination site and be entered into the drawings for the gift cards. Two $1,000 winners will be selected every Friday, starting Feb. 4 through March 10.
Once a person is entered into the pool for the $1,000 drawings, their name will remain in unless it’s selected. People will only be able to enter the pool once. In addition to being entered into the $1,000 drawings, people who get their first dose or booster shot at select pop-up sites will receive a $50 gift card until a total of 760 cards are distributed.
The program is a partnership with Houston in Action and Human Age Digital, which received $50,000 in grant funds to support efforts to increase vaccination rates in Houston.
Participants must sign a declaration affirming eligibility for the program, and verification will occur using the Texas immunization database.
Children ages 5 and up are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, while people ages 18 and up are eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. In addition, booster shots are available to people ages 12 and up. Getting vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 at health department-affiliated sites is free and does not require proof of residency, citizenship, or insurance.
Vaccination sites eligible for the $1,000 incentive program:
Acres Home Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd
- Mondays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center, 3810 W. Fuqua St.
- Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center, 1809 North Main St.
- Mondays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol St.
- Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Northside Health Center, 8504 Schuller Rd.
- Mondays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sharpstown Health Services, 6201 Bonhomme Rd.
- Mondays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr.
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunnyside Health Center, 4605 Wilmington St.
- Mondays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sites and schedules eligible for the $50 incentive are:
Lyons Elementary, 800 Roxella St, 77076
- Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Benavidez Elementary, 6262 Gulfton St, 77081
- Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Brookline Elementary, 6301 S Loop E Fwy, 77087
- Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.