Kroger to Offer Millions in Cash, Free Groceries as Part of COVID Vaccination Initiative

Kroger plans to offer million-dollar giveaways and free groceries to incentivize people to receive a COVID-19 vaccinations at Kroger Health.

In an announcement on Thursday, Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., said that starting next week, people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Kroger Health will have a chance "at winning one of five $1 million payouts totaling $5 million in cash prizes and chance to win free groceries for a year."

Kroger said in the press release that the #CommunityImmunity giveaway comes in response to a goal set by President Joe Biden's administration to have at least 70 percent of adults receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require patients to receive two doses.

Biden announced his goal on May 4 and said, "If we succeed in this effort, then Americans will have taken a serious step toward a return to normal."

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 50.1 percent of adults in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which equates to around 166,388,129 individuals. At least 40.2 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID, according to the CDC.

In the press release from Thursday, Kroger Health said that they have distributed more than 4.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, said in the press release, "We greatly appreciate President Joe Biden's leadership and partnership with the private sector to increase vaccinations among the U.S. population, especially people of color and individuals under age 30."

"As an employer, grocery provider, and community partner, the #CommunityImmunity giveaway is another way we are doing our part to help America recover from the public health crisis and safely return to normal," McMullen's statement continued. "The faster we reach community immunity, the sooner we can all get back to enjoying backyard barbecues, live music and gathering for special occasions."

Ian Sams, deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), applauded the announcement by Kroger. "Businesses like Kroger are stepping up to the plate to encourage vaccinations, as we pursue President Biden's goal of having 70 percent of adults with at least their first dose by Independence Day," Sams said in the release.

In an effort to encourage more Americans to get vaccinated, several states have made previously made similar announcements about incentives.

States such as Maryland, New York and Ohio have announced lottery campaigns to incentivize vaccinations with prizes of $1 million.

Newsweek reached out to Kroger for further comments, but did not receive a response in time for publication.