The Shot for a Shot month-long campaign kicks off today in Louisiana. It is a joint effort with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) and the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) to incentivize more residents to get vaccinated for COVID. ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier said you can get a free shot at participating bars or restaurants by showing proof you have been vaccinated in the last seven days.

“The name may be a little deceiving because it does not necessarily mean it has to be an alcoholic beverage, it can be a nonalcoholic beverage,” said Legier.

Legier said ATC and the LRA came up with the campaign when the governor asked state agencies to submit ideas for vaccine incentives.  Legier said no public funds are being used and the LRA will reimburse participating member restaurants and bars at the end of the month. Legier said it’s a fun way to get more people vaccinated.

“And adding to this celebratory feeling we all feel about being able to do a lot more of the things that we used to do before COVID,” said Legier.

The program hopes to increase the state’s vaccination rate by 10,000 and Legier said this is the first of several vaccine incentive programs the state will be rolling out.

“With a 100% certainty that you will see more types of programs coming from the state here in the very near future,” said Legier.

Customers can show proof of their completed vaccination regime through the LA Wallet app or with a state-issued vaccination card between June 1st and June 30th or until funds are exhausted.

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