Puyallup is behind in vaccinations, offers gift cards for shots
Puyallup has started its vaccine incentive program, giving local restaurant gift cards to people who get inoculated.
Mayor Julie Door and Deputy Mayor John Palmer visited the South Hill Mall on Friday to hand out $25 gift cards.
The gift cards are at two vaccine centers in the city: Kirk’s Pharmacy downtown and the former Toys R’ Us, 3551 9th St. SW, by the South Hill Mall. There, you will receive a gift card after getting your vaccine shot.
Gift cards are limited to one per person. Cards are only available to customers who receive their first or second vaccine shot on site. People who are fully vaccinated or have already received their second shot are not eligible, city spokesperson Eric Johnson said.
The City of Puyallup is the first city in Pierce County to offer a vaccine incentive program.
Pierce County is lagging behind the state average for vaccinations, and Puyallup even more so.
As of June 25, the state Department of Health said 58.8 percent of Washingtonians 12 and older have received at least one dose. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reports 49.73 percent of the total population have received at least one vaccine dose. In Puyallup, 47.1 percent of the total population has received at least one dose.
Palmer said the lower local vaccination rate is why the incentive program is needed.
“We are hoping that this incentive program will convince people to do their part and get the vaccine,” he said in a statement.
The city has allocated up to $50,000 in federal relief dollars for the coronavirus pandemic for restaurant gift cards.
A gift card for the following restaurants can be selected:
Bourbon Street Bar & Grill
Brew Tea House
Charlie’s Restaurant & Lounge
Costella’s Italian Restaurant & Market
Fiesta Taqueria & Tequila Bar
The Forum
Happy Teriyaki
Iron Chef Japanese Steakhouse
Mazatlán Restaurant
Perry’s
The Pickled Pepper
Playa Azul Mexican Restaurant
The Rose Restaurant
Toscano’s Italian Grill
Wanna Cupcake?
Wayne’s Inn Bar & Grill
The gift cards will be available on the following days and times:
Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Kirk’s Pharmacy at 618 S. Meridian
Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 3551 9th St. SW.
This story was originally published June 28, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
