While supplies last, the department will offer 1,900 gift cards from retailers including Walmart, Target, Old Navy, Ross, Amazon, Shell and Walgreens. The department will also offer $25 METRO fare cards from The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. Funding for the program comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The delta variant is different because it is much more contagious, and, while rare, vaccinated people may get infected and spread it to others,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston in the news release. “While this can seem discouraging, it’s important to remember that vaccines prevent almost everyone who gets a breakthrough infection from serious illness and death. Vaccines are the best tool to protect you and those around you.”
From Feb. 8 through July 14, 99.5% of Texans who died from COVID-19 were unvaccinated. Texas hospitals report more than 90% of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to data collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
To qualify for a gift card, those seeking a vaccine must receive a dose at one of the Houston Health Department’s pop-up clinics at a number of health centers and multiservice centers in the city.
The recipient will receive a gift card after receiving one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as long as it is completed within 42 days of receiving the first, according to the health department.
Those age 18 and older are eligible to receive the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and those age 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Parental consent forms are required for those under age 18 and are available at the vaccine clinics, the release states.
Vaccinations are free and do not require ID, proof of residency, citizenship or insurance. Those seeking a vaccine can arrive at a clinic location with or without an appointment.
“We are at a pivotal point in the fight against this deadly virus. Positive cases and hospitalizations are increasing, primarily among the unvaccinated, despite vaccines being free and readily available,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in the release. “It is our hope the new incentive offered by the Houston Health Department will encourage people to take their best shot and help save lives in the process.”
As of Aug. 1, 64.6% of the Harris County population over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 54.7% were fully vaccinated, according to Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Below are the locations where the Health Department is offering gift cards. For more information about vaccine locations visit www.houstonemergency.org or call 832-393-4220.
Acres Home Multi-Service Center
6719 W. Montgomery Road
Mon., Wed., Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center
3810 W. Fuqua St.
Tue. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center
1809 N. Main St.
Mon., Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tue., Wed., Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Magnolia Multi-Service Center
7037 Capitol St.
Thu. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Northside Health Center
8504 Schuller Road
Mon., Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tue., Wed., Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sharpstown Health Services
6201 Bonhomme Road
Mon., Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tue., Wed., Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star Drive
Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunnyside Health Center
4605 Wilmington Street
Mon., Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tue., Wed., Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
