Hospital Offers Workers $500 to Get Vaccine

According to this article from Medscape, Houston Methodist Hospital is offering $500 to employees as a “thank you” bonus for their hard work during the pandemic — and for taking both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Marc Boom, MD, president and CEO of the hospital system, sent an email to staff last week explaining the “Hope Bonus” will be delivered in March. “Eligibility criteria will include getting a COVID-19 vaccination, fulfilling our obligation as health care workers to lead the community,” he wrote.

The employees also got a $500 bonus roughly 6 weeks ago for working during the pandemic, and the upcoming bonus is meant to show extra gratitude. “This bonus is a thank you for your perseverance throughout a difficult 2020 as well as something to look forward to, to provide hope, during the next couple of challenging months,” Boom wrote.

The Houston area has been a COVID hot spot, with more than 249,000 cases and nearly 2,700 deaths. About 55% of the 26,000 Houston Methodist employees have received the first dose of the vaccine, and thousands more have scheduled appointments. The health system isn’t requiring vaccination at the moment but “will be eventually” for most workers, Boom wrote.