(Reuters) – Supermarket chain Kroger Co said on Friday it would give $ 100 to workers receiving COVID-19 vaccination, joining a growing list of US retailers urging employees to inoculate against the new coronavirus as soon as possible.
Kroger, which also operates Ralphs and Harris Teeter among other banners in 35 states, has hired more than 100,000 new workers to meet rising demand amid coronavirus blockage.
The company said it will invest another $ 50 million in rewards for associates, including a $ 100 in-store loan and 1,000 fuel points for hourly staff.
Other retailers that have taken similar steps to encourage their US employees to get vaccinated include Dollar General, the German supermarket chain Aldi, Instacart and Trader Joe’s.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people over the age of 75 and essential workers are scheduled to receive the vaccine at a later stage, after health care workers and nursing home residents.
Report by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Edited by Ramakrishnan M.