“Based on our review of the county’s program it has worked. Sometimes people need that added incentive,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “If it gets 20,000 people vaccinated sooner than they would have, it [does] not just [benefit] the people who get vaccinated ... we are all paying the price.”
The effort follows the success of Harris County offering a similar incentive for first doses beginning Aug. 17 that has proven successful. County health officials reported a 529% increase in vaccinations after the incentive was put in place.
Walk-ins are allowed, and appointments are available. More information can be found by calling 832-393-4220.
Those who participated in a previous incentive offered by the city of Houston that offered $25 gift cards, will receive $50 for their second dose, according to the Houston Health Department. The $25 gift card program was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The latest effort comes as the region is facing a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations as the delta variant makes the virus more transmissible.
Houston City Council approved the measure Aug. 25 in a 14-2 vote. Several council members and even the mayor said they were skeptical of offering an incentive but were swayed by the success of Harris County’s program. The city set aside just over $3 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for the program and will offer the incentives until it runs out. The Health Department estimates it will cover 20,000 vaccinations.
“I’m voting yes because I looked at the results and its 500% increase in vaccinations,” Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin said. “This incentive works. Whether you like it or not, it works.”
Council members Mike Knox and Amy Peck opposed the effort.
“I’d like a written legal opinion, how this is not a gift using taxpayer dollars to some at the expense of others,” Knox said.
Below is a list of 8 participating vaccination sites:
Acres Home Multi-Service Center
6719 West Montgomery Road
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center
3810 W. Fuqua Street
Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center
1809 North Main Street
Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Magnolia Multi-Service Center
7037 Capitol Street
Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Northside Health Center
8504 Schuller Road
Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sharpstown Health Services
6201 Bonhomme Road, Houson
Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star Drive, Houston
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunnyside Health Center
4605 Wilmington Street
Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Editor's note: this post has been updated to include the locations and hours of participating vaccination sites.
