Vaccine freebies may not be incentives (but people like them)

Since announcing it would give free donuts to any adult with a vaccination card, Krispy Kreme has given away 1.5m fried treats.

Several other companies and even governments have followed suit:

• Ohio’s Vax-a-Million lottery will award $1m to 5 vaccinated adults and full-ride scholarships to 5 Ohioans ages 12-17.
• Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club in Vegas and New Orleans have held vaccine clinics with perks including free booze and dances from vaccinated performers.
• Free beer is a popular incentive among towns and beer brands, including Budweiser, Sam Adams, and Erie County, New York.

But do these incentives work?

Most likely… no. Health data doesn’t reflect much of a surge in vaccination rates, per ABC News. And health experts who spoke with the news outlet don’t think the incentives alone would motivate vaccine holdouts.

But a poll from data intelligence company Morning Consult found that while they might not increase vaccination, incentives don’t hurt a business’ brand:

• 57% of adults said they’d be no more likely to get vaxxed due to an incentive
• 41% of adults said they’d view a brand that offered freebies more favorably while only 17% said they’d view a brand less favorably

Plus, freebies often encourage customers to buy other stuff.

Comic book shops have seen a rise in sales on Free Comic Book Day. And despite giving away 4.5m free Slurpees on July 11, 2011, 7-Eleven saw a 38% increase in Slurpee sales that day.

In the mood for a donut now? Krispy Kreme will keep at it all year long.