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Detroit now paying $50 to anyone who convinces someone to get a vaccine

By Jack Nissen
Updated  May 3, 2021 7:15pm EDT
Coronavirus Vaccine
FOX 2 Detroit

DETROIT - Starting Monday, anyone that convinces someone else to get a vaccine will receive $50 from the city of Detroit.

Detroit Good Neighbor program starts allowing you to get paid for talking residents to get vaccinated

It’s an opportunity for a person to extend a hand to a Detroiter to take them on a trip that could save their life.

The "Good Neighbor" program introduced last week will help boost vaccine rates in the city, the mayor said Wednesday.

Mike Duggan is banking on the idea people will be more convinced to get a shot if their friend tells them to rather than if an expert tells them to. "Nobody wants to listen to Dr. Fauci or me or Gov. Whitmer tell them one more time to take the vaccine," he said earlier. "But they will listen to their neighbors."

Under the expanded program, registered Good Neighbors can earn $50 gift cards for every Detroiter they usher through the vaccination process. From scheduling residents for their first dose appointments starting Monday, to driving them to vaccination sites.

Detroit unveils Good Neighbor program paying residents to bring others for vaccines

Good Neighbors are limited to three vaccine recipients per car per trip, but can make as many trips as they like if they are able to identify more Detroiters to drive to their appointment.

The program is using grant money for expansion.

Currently, 30.7% of the city has gotten at least one shot - about 20% behind the state.

RELATED: You can get a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Ford Field this week

Residents can go to the TCF Center, Northwest Activities Center, and community churches on the weekends.

In order to get reimbursed for efforts, residents will need to make sure patients have their first dose scheduled before they'll see any money.

Good Neighbor program Details

  1. Pre-register as a Good Neighbor by calling 313-230-0505.
  2. Good Neighbors must make first-dose appointments for friends or neighbors in order to qualify. 
  3. Walk-up appointments are not allowed
  4. The people getting the shot must be residents of Detroit
  5. Trips must limit people to three patients per appointment trip
  6. There is no limit to the number of people a Good Neighbor can be reimbursed for convincing to get the shot, however, if they earn more than $600, they have to complete a W-9 form on their taxes.
  7. Reimbursement will arrive in a pre-paid MasterCard

Where can appointments be made?

There are four locations where vaccine appointments can be scheduled. They include:

  • The TCF Center, M-F 8 am - 5 pm, 89 Steve Yzerman Drive
  • Northwest Activities Center, M-F, 9 am - 7 pm, 18100 Meyers
  • Straight Gate International Church, M-F, 9 am - 7 pm, 10100 Grand River Ave.
  • Community Churches, Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm, locations and dates available upon calling.

You can learn more here.