ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – $500 to roll up your sleeve. That is what two area Native American tribes are offering members and employees who get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Both the Oneida and Menominee Tribes are offering the $500 incentive.
If all of the approximately 17,000 members of the Oneida Nation were to be vaccinated before October, the tribe could have to pay out more than $8 million in incentives.
“We know that once we can get at least 75 percent of our community vaccinated, we’re going to be able to have that level of safety that we can,” said Debbie Danforth, Oneida Nation Division of Health Director.
So far, Danforth tells FOX 11 about 5,000 tribal members have been vaccinated, about 30 percent. The rate for employees is better at about 50 percent, up from 37 percent just before the $500 incentive was announced.
“There was a lot of numbers that were tossed around. We talked a little bit about if it’s an employee will they get taxed on it and that’s a question that came up, so we said wat about this and that is the number we arrived at.”
Marlon Skenandore tells FOX 11 the new incentive is not swaying his decision whether to get vaccinated.
“It’s actually just being weary for myself and my family. But I think listening to the experts, it’s kind of leaning me towards that it is safe.”
Skenandore had COVID-19 last year and is still dealing with its effects. He says he’s following health recommendations until he’s convinced to get vaccinated, which he says the tribe has provided plenty of opportunity for.
“I’m just hesitant about the FDA not approving it and not going through its normal procedure so I’m on the fence but I’m leaning towards getting it.”
While the tribe waits for more people to get vaccinated, just like the rest of the country, they’ve seen an increase in infections.
“The majority of what we have been seeing are people that are not vaccinated are the ones we are seeing the positive results from,” said Danforth.
Oneida tribal members and employees have until Sept. 30 to show proof of their vaccination to receive the $500.
It includes people who were vaccinated before the incentive was announced.
People will likely start receiving the money in November.
