We need to hold off on giving Australians incentives to get COVID-19 vaccinations for as long as possible to see if we can reach the required targets without throwing money, food and other freebies at them like the lottery draws, donuts and McDonald’s we’ve seen in other countries.

Incentive schemes have little traction unless there is a clear balance between supply and demand and that doesn’t appear to be the case yet with COVID-19 vaccines.

They also work best when enthusiasm’s plateaued, which also doesn’t appear to be happening.

The focus at the moment should be on distribution and setting up as many vaccination sites as possible.

We need to make it as simple and easy as possible for everyone to get vaccinated, from drive-through sites, major shopping centres and workplaces.

Incentives can be positive if used tactically, but they can also portray an imperative that might be counterproductive for some people or set up expectations they’ll continue for other vaccines or future boosters.

We can revisit incentives at the end if we haven’t reached our targets by Christmas. And only then if they are applied at the same time for everyone, to avoid people hanging out for the best deal.

Associate Professor Con Stavros is a leading expert in marketing and is a regular media commentator.

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The carrot or the stick in getting vaccinated around the world

Get a COVID-19 jab in another country and you may get a lot more than just a sore arm. Here are some incentives around the world:

  • Greece enacted restrictions requiring proof of vaccination for access to indoor restaurants, cafes, bars and movie theatres. Young people were offered 150-euro cash cards and a free month of phone data to get their first COVID-19 shot.
  • The United States offers $100 payments to the newly-vaccinated, while US President Joe Biden said it seems “unfair” to those who have already had the jab however could get the country across the line.
  • Some US states are holding lotteries for vaccinated residents, whereas retailers in Washington have been allowed to offer a free marijuana joint to those who get a shot in the “joints for jab” promotions.
  • Cambodia has kicked off a lottery venture.
  •  In Moscow, Russia, five cars are drawn every week for the vaccinated.
  •  British youth, aged from 18-30, will be offered discounted takeaway meals and free car travel to get their jab. Ride-hailing firms, including Uber, Bolt and Deliveroo are offering incentives.
  • Uber is offering free rides for travel to and from vaccination centres in Lebanon.
  • A property developer in Hong Kong is raffling off a $1.4 million apartment for people who have been vaccinated.
  • Londoners recently had the chance to win tickets to the final of the Euro 2020.
  • Romanians get a barbequed sausage sandwich along with the vaccine.
  • A town in Thailand launched a cow raffle.
  • Mexican vaccination centres are offering free entertainment for those wishing to get the jab.
  • In Israel, the jab gets you free beer, whereas dessert is offered in Malaysia.
  • Jakarta is fining people who shun the vaccination up to 5 million rupiah ($350).
  • Liquor sellers in India’s university town of Saifai have been instructed not to serve anyone without a vaccine.
  • Unvaccinated people in the United Arab Emirates have been banned from attending live events, whereas in Saudi Arabia they will be banned from heading to shopping malls.