COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program Deadline Extended

April 1, 2022

GRIN Staff

Gila River Indian News

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis announced in a recent meeting with the COVID-19 Taskforce that he is aligning the three deadlines of the current vaccine incentive programs until April 29.

The three programs are for Gila River Indian Community members who are minors, adults and tribal government employees who are fully vaccinated.

The incentive was designed to increase vaccination rates in the Community while offering financial assistance as an incentive to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Community.

As of Mar. 28, the vaccinations rates among GRIC members who are eligible are at 43%. And according to the Feb. 15 Tribal Health Department data report, vaccination rates among employees are at 80%. The previous  deadline extension was March 31but GRIC members and employees now have until April 29 to get fully vaccinated and receive the incentive.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program FAQs states that “fully vaccinated” means:  Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive their second dose of the vaccine in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. 

“Vaccines are the most effective tool we have in fighting COVID-19. With vaccination rates as they are, we are still vulnerable to infection and we hope Community members and employees take advantage of this program for the overall safety of our homes and in the workplace,” said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis.

For more information on the programs for minors and adults, log on to the Per Capita page on mygilariver.com for the application and FAQs.

For additional inquiries contact the GRIC Per Capita Office at (520) 562-5222, toll free at (866) 416-2618 or by email at gricminorvaccineincentives@gric.nsn.us.

Once fully vaccinated, employees will be required to show their vaccination card to their department director who will submit their information on their behalf.