CCC Offers Gift Cards, Tuition Waivers at Vaccination Clinics

Clackamas Community College is offering $50 gift cards and other incentives at a series of vaccination clinics it is hosting at its Oregon City campus later this month in partnership with Clackamas County Public Health.

The clinics will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7 and 28 in the Gregory Forum at CCC.

Both the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine (ages 12-plus) and the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine (18 and older) will be available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome.

As part of these vaccination clinics, Clackamas Community College will be offering $50 gift cards to the college’s bookstore or tuition waivers for one free class at the college. Also, Clackamas County is providing $50 Fred Meyer gift cards to everyone who gets vaccinated.

“As we start to open our doors for more in-person classes this fall and winter, we want to ensure the safest environment possible for our students,” CCC President Tim Cook said. “By offering Covid-19 vaccines, we can help protect our students, our employees, and members of the community.”

Clackamas Community College is located at 19600 Molalla Ave. in Oregon City.

For vaccine questions, email COVIDVaccine@clackamas.us. To register or for more information about COVID-19 in Clackamas County, visit clackamas.us/coronavirus.

Incentives being offered for getting the shot has sparked discomfort and, at times, controversy — particularly in rural and conservative-leaning areas where vaccine skepticism remains high.

A series of clinics at Molalla High School were canceled earlier this month, after concerns arose that the $50 gift cards on offer might entice underage teens to participate without their parents’ knowledge or permission. (Under Oregon law, teens as young as 15 can make their own medical decisions, including vaccinations, without parental consent.)

Nevertheless, they have been a mainstay at Portland metro area clinics throughout the summer, and health officials say they have been largely effective in their goal of encouraging more Oregonians to roll up their sleeves amid declining vaccination rates statewide.

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