CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There was a new incentive to get your vaccine in Charlotte that could take you anywhere in the world.
American Airlines offered up the chance at two roundtrip tickets to anywhere on the globe.
If you got your first dose at this weekend's Summerstock Charlotte Festival you were automatically entered to win. Not only that, you got $25 on the spot.
Summerstock, a new event with food, music and art, was meant to celebrate the westside of Charlotte.
"We want to make sure we get people out, get them vaccinated and have fun," Cynthia Harrison with Health Empowerment Renewal (H.E.R) said. H.E.R put on the event.
It was also the perfect opportunity for the Mecklenburg County Health Department because a lot of people in West Charlotte are not vaccinated.
After the last 16 months of the pandemic, many people are ready to travel. A vaccination card could be a ticket to just about any destination.
"This is an unrestricted opportunity to travel anywhere that American Airlines flies. First-class domestic seats or international economy," Tracy Montross with American Airlines said.
The county health department had a vaccine clinic at Summerstock in Camp Greene Park on Sunday. Anyone who got vaccinated on-site was entered into the raffle for the two free roundtrip tickets five times. Anyone who shows proof they were already vaccinated was entered once.
So far, other incentives haven't caused a major spike in demand for vaccines but county leaders aren't giving up.
"We're hoping over the summer that will change and we'll continue to do the things that we think might bring people in for the vaccines," Health Director Gibbie Harris said.
New data released Friday shows 44% of the county's population is fully vaccinated and 48% is partially vaccinated. With the more contagious and severe Delta variant likely to soon be the dominant strain in the country, Harris says those numbers need to go up.
"People are enjoying being out. They're coming to Summerstock, they're doing things in our community that they have not had the opportunity to do in quite some time," she said. "We want them to continue to enjoy those things and be able to be out, we do not want to see a resurgence, and the thing that is going to prevent that is vaccines."
For some who turned out, the incentive helped motivate them to get the shot.
"My family didn't want me to take the shot, but I still think the benefits outweigh the risks. And they do," said Vernita Hall, who received her first shot at the clinic. "And I really suggest that anyone who's out here cause if you don't have the shot, you will get it. You will get this virus."
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