STOCKHOLM — A Swedish study found that a modest $24 incentive increased vaccination rates, lending support to measures that aim to get more people to take COVID-19 jabs by handing out cash.
The study, led by researchers at Lund University, found that the vaccination rate increased by 4 percent among participants who were offered 200 Swedish kronor, or $24, to get the jab. The effect was seen across all ages, genders and levels of education, Erik Wengstrom, professor of economics at Lund University, said.
“This indicates that monetary incentives have the potential to increase the rate among people regardless of background,” Wengstrom said in a statement. “The results also show that the incentives have an effect even in countries with relatively high vaccination levels, such as Sweden.”
As countries across the developed world are struggling to get COVID-19 vaccination rates up to desired levels, many have offered a wide array of incentives to boost people’s willingness to take the jab, from lottery tickets with large cash prizes to discounts on pizza and flights. After U.S. President Joe Biden called for local officials to offer $100 to anyone who gets vaccinated, states including New York and Louisiana have followed suit.
