Washington, D.C., says it will give teens free AirPods — and the chance to win even bigger prizes — for receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
The promotion, which hopes to encourage widespread adoption for the vaccine among youths, applies to those aged 12 to 17 who get their first shot at one of three sites throughout the city.
Despite over 203 million cases and more than 4 million deaths from COVID-19, many still feel a vaccine isn’t necessary. But what better way to convince kids otherwise than free Apple products?
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Saturday that those aged between 12 and 17 will get free AirPods and the chance to win up to $25,000 in scholarship money for getting their first COVID-19 shot.
Free AirPods for a COVID-19 vaccine
To get your free AirPods, you simply need to get your first shot at Brookland MS, Sousa MS or Johnson MS. If you don’t want Apple headphones, you can choose to receive a $51 gift card instead, Bowser said.
In addition, youths will get the chance to win $25,000 in scholarship money, or an iPad and headphones. Students aged 18 to 21 who are already enrolled in a D.C. school will also get free AirPods for their first shot.
Photo: Washington, D.C.
A number of states have offered incentives to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. Maryland, Michigan and Ohio are offering cash prizes, while West Virginia is also giving out firearms and trucks.
In Washington, D.C., around 70% of residents have already been fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University. And yet, the district is now seeing an upward trend in new COVID-19 cases.
In response to the increase, which led to 128 new cases Friday according to the CDC, Bowser last week announced that D.C. would reintroduce its indoor mask mandate, reports The Hill.
