Author: Aimee Martin
UAB needs to reevaluate its vaccine incentives to draw more interest because the vaccination rate appears to be stagnating.
As of Oct. 8, more than 64% of UAB students had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This has increased approximately 4% since Aug. 23, when the estimate was more than 60%, according to the response to the questions asked at the Aug. 17 faculty town hall. The positive test numbers during the first few weeks of the fall semester were the highest since early April of 2021.
UAB’s current vaccine incentives include $20 in BlazerBucks, entries in raffles for upgrades to better parking passes, scholarships and more. However, these incentives haven’t seemed to help UAB pull its vaccination numbers up.
Other Alabama colleges are offering similar incentives to vaccinated students. The University of Alabama has doubled their campus currency incentive, promising their students $40 in Bama Cash. Students at UA who were already vaccinated received the additional $20 automatically.
Auburn University, however, is offering a slew of raffle prizes, including a $1,000 scholarship, parking pass upgrades, lunch with Auburn’s president, a weekend camping package for two and more.
UAB should consider implementing new incentives to promote getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The “Get Vaxxed on the Green” events are on the right track; this event is in the main line of traffic for many students, is situated in a central point on campus and even offers $75 sign-up bonuses for the first few students who get their shot on-site. Holding more events like these could make vaccines more accessible for students passing by on their way to or from class.
UAB could also add more raffles and cash-based prizes throughout the semester for those already vaccinated as well as for students finally making the decision to get their first shot. Offering more tangible prizes to the program like a higher amount of BlazerBucks, better food vouchers or meal plan upgrades, scholarships or gift cards to local businesses could also persuade more students to get vaccinated.
More unique and engaging prizes need to be offered. With the numerous fairs, festivals and events going on in Birmingham this semester, UAB could offer free tickets or vouchers to these events to vaccinated students.
There should also be more incentive prizes for students who are already fully vaccinated: separate raffles with exclusive prizes for those who have already provided proof of vaccination. Ideas for new incentives seem endless, yet UAB still seems to be holding back.
Overall, UAB is going to have to do more to get their students vaccinated and keep COVID from spreading on campus.
