Tennessee State University offering students $100 to get vaccine

Tennessee State University is offering students at least a $100 gift card to get the coronavirus vaccine. 

Students can get the gift card either by proving they’re vaccinated or by getting their shots at one of Tennessee State’s on-campus vaccination sites, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Students living on campus can get an additional $50 gift card as a reward for their inoculation.

Students must receive the vaccine before by Aug. 27, almost two weeks after classes begin, to qualify.

Tennessee State students and faculty will still have to wear face masks indoors, and social distancing will continue to be enforced at the school, according to its newsroom.

The school is unable to require the coronavirus vaccine due to state laws. 

Colleges in other states, meanwhile, have doubled down on vaccine requirements and are only providing exceptions for medical or religious reasons.

Cash incentives have also been implemented at the state level, with some states using incentives such as lotteries to encourage residents to get the vaccine.

Ohio was the first to offer a vaccine lottery, with five people able to win $1 million if they get the vaccine.