NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In an effort to encourage uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government is considering a vaccine lotto that would offer monetary incentives to the newly vaccinated.

“There is a lot of consideration; as a matter of fact, the National Vaccine Consultative Committee (NVCC) is looking at those,” he told Eyewitness News.

“In fact, we’re looking at private sector cooperation with us to be able to see whether or not we will.

“The suggestion has been made.

“The government has not made the definitive decision to move in that direction but, if need be, we will. We will offer incentives.”

Asked if the incentive program could be similar to Hong Kong’s or the United States’, the latter of which offers $100 to newly vaccinated individuals, the minister said: “That is now before the NVCC. They’re looking at it and, obviously, they’ll make their recommendations to the government and we’ll go in the direction that the administration believes is best to get people vaccinated.”

MORE