COVID-19: President Biden calls on states to offer $100 to encourage people to get vaccinated

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — President Joe Biden wants Americans to receive $100 if they get fully vaccinated. It’s in response to the rising cases across the country.

According to the Florida Department of Health, about 50% of people age 12 and older are vaccinated in Duval County.

And to get that number higher, President Biden is asking states to give Americans another reason to get vaccinated.

Action News Jax asked people if they thought those currently unvaccinated would get it for the money.

“They shouldn’t do it for the money, but I think they will do it for the money,” one local resident said.

On Thursday, Biden asked states to use money from the state COVID-19 recovery funds to pay those still not vaccinated $100 to get it.

“I think it makes a lot of sense actually. We need to do everything that we can do to get people vaccinated at least to the point where we can get to herd immunity,” Cody Gowan said.

The push comes as the delta variant wreaks havoc inside our local hospitals.

Baptist Health alone admitted 73 new cases on Wednesday, totaling 433 COVID-19 patients -- 91 of which are in the ICU.

Action News Jax medical expert Dr. Michelle Aquino has treated COVID-19 patients the entire pandemic.

“To put things in perspective, in our high peak this past Christmas, New Year’s, I think our peak numbers were maybe 200 for all five hospitals,” Aquino said.

She says right now in Duval County, one in four people that are being tested are positive for the virus. And the best way to stop the spread and keep people from being hospitalized is getting the vaccine. Right now about 97% of those hospitalized are not vaccinated.

“If you can get the vaccine and prevent yourself from ending up in the hospital sick, please do that, please do that. It’s the best thing for you to do. I promise you, I’ve done my research,” Aquino said.

The Governor’s Office tells Action News Jax there are no funds for the $100 incentive because all of the state recovery funds had been budgeted before President Biden made this announcement.

It also says it would require legislative action to authorize any spending on this. We’ve asked if the governor will call a special session and are waiting to hear back.

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