SelectHealth offers $100 vaccination incentive for Utah members

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SALT LAKE CITY – Eligible SelectHealth members on Utah contracts who have not previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 will receive a $100 incentive after being fully vaccinated, starting immediately, the organization announced Thursday.

"We support the guidance of medical professionals and encourage our members and communities to get vaccinated," SelectHealth said in a press release.

"Extensive testing has shown that vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. Vaccines help your body build immunity against viruses by teaching it to recognize pathogens that pose a threat to your health. The COVID-19 vaccine completed all the required stages of clinical trials and has been reported to be more than 90% effective at preventing the virus and helping to reduce severe illness," the release continued.

The health plan has chosen to give out the incentive in response to low vaccination rates in Utah, the stress COVID-19 has created within communities, and the rapid spread of the contagious delta variant, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the variant can cause twice as many infections as the original strain of the novel coronavirus.

The release also stated that increased vaccination rates would increase the community's ability to fight the virus and protects vulnerable, at-risk people who can't be vaccinated.

"We want our communities to realize that we truly value their health. This incentive is intended to encourage completion of the COVID-19 vaccine so that we can all live the healthiest lives possible," Dr. Russ Kuzel, SelectHealth chief medical officer, said.

Members can find out more about the incentive program at the SelectHealth website. Vaccine appointments can be made at vaccinefinder.org or by visiting coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.