On September 14, the Norman City Council approved a COVID-19 vaccine incentives program to use $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) money for vaccination pods, mobile vaccination units, and gift cards incentives for vaccinations.
To make the best use of funds, the City of Norman, IMMYLabs, Norman Regional Health System, the Cleveland County Health Department, the Norman Police Department, and the Norman Fire department have combined efforts to provide vaccination pop-up PODS throughout the Norman community by IMMYLabs on Sundays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
- October 3 at Reaves Park: The vaccination pop-up POD through IMMYLabs will be located at Reaves Park this Sunday from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm at the building on the corner of Constitution and Jenkins.
- Other opportunities for vaccinations are October 17 at Legacy Park and October 24 at the Norman Central Library. Additional dates and locations will be announced, allowing plenty of options for everyone in the community to receive the vaccine.
Darryl Pyle, City Manager, "Our goal is to use this program to try and bring vaccinations to everyone and help encourage individuals who might be on the fence about being vaccinated to get the shot." Pyle continues, "We brainstormed locations of where to host the pop-up vaccinations and came up with locations all over town to make the vaccine accessible for everyone that wants to be vaccinated."
The City is working with the United Way of Norman on a program to bring vaccinations to individuals unable to leave their homes with the help of United Way partner agencies and IMMYLabs. "The United Way is excited about the opportunity to get vaccinations to everyone that needs them. Many individuals and families can't get vaccinated. Bringing vaccinations straight to people's doors is a gamer changer for those in need," says Daren Wilson, President and CEO of the United Way of Norman.
The $500,000 incentive program through the City will include $25 restaurant gift cards to local restaurants for individuals that receive the first, second, or booster vaccination. Each individual will also be entered into two door prize drawings. Drawing one will be for a $500 VISA gift card, and the second drawing will be for Apple Air Pods. Gift cards and other door prizes will be available on-site to those who set an appointment and attend a vaccination POD.
"We are excited that this incentive program will not only encourage individuals to get vaccinated, it will also stimulate our communities economy with the purchase of the restaurant gift cards. Everyone loves our Norman restaurants, and this is a great way to support them," says Jason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation.
You can set an appointment for one of the IMMYLabs pop-up vaccination PODS at https://portal.immylabs.com/vaccine.
For more information, go to www.NormanOK.gov.