Governor Walz launches vaccine incentive for Minnesotans 5-11 years old

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Tuesday the next phase of the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentive program to encourage Minnesota families to get their kids ages 5-11 years old fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a press release, the Walz-Flanagan Administration states it is committed to providing resources necessary to make sure kids stay healthy and in school.

Minnesota families who get their 5-11-year-old fully vaccinated in January and February can get a $200 Visa gift card. To be eligible, Minnesotans 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between January 1 and February 28.

Registration for the $200 Visa gist card will open at 10:00 a.m. on January 24, 2022 and close at 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2022.

“As Omicron surges across our nation, we’re continuing to use every resource we have to keep our families safe and healthy,” said Governor Walz. “There’s a lot of highly transmissible virus circulating in our communities, but getting our children 5-11 years old vaccinated gives them critical protection against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 and helps keep them in school. You’ll get $200 cash in your pocket for getting this easy vaccination done at the start of the year.”

Minnesota is one of the leaders in the nation in vaccinating children 5-11 years old, but that age group still has the lowest rate of vaccination among eligible age groups in the state.

“There’s no better way to keep your family safe than by getting everyone who is eligible vaccinated,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We want to help Minnesotans start the year off by getting those vaccinations done and getting $200 in their pockets. Kids deserve a shot at a healthy 2022, and COVID-19 vaccines are one of the best tools to get us there.”

There will also be five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings later this spring for all Minnesotans 5-11 years old who are fully vaccinated. Any Minnesotan age 5-11 years old who completed their first and second doses at any point up to the registration deadline will be eligible for the scholarship drawings. Details on the drawings will be announced in the coming months.

Learn more about the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ program here.