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Krispy Kreme, McDonald's, Shake Shack help support vaccine push

Yahoo Finance’s Brooke DiPalma breaks down how fast food giants, companies and states are offering incentives to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Video transcript

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Some major consumer brands, including McDonald's, Uber, and Lyft, are announcing their plans to support the COVID-19 push, alongside the Biden administration, including some free perks. We've got Brooke DiPalma here now with her installment of Brooke's Bite. So what are they offering us to get vaccinated, Brooke?

BROOKE DIPALMA: Alexis, well, this week, McDonald's announced a partnership with the Biden administration to feature the Department of Health's We Can Do This campaign on multiple different facets at the fast food giant. First, you can expect to see a huge billboard at this iconic Times Square location coming this May. And in addition to that, later on in July, you'll also expect to see that We Can Do This campaign on McCafé cups and McDelivery seals.

Now the White House also announced this week that it will provide free rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites provided by Uber and Lyft. Now this is all part of Biden's goal and Biden's plan to vaccinate 70% of the US adult population with at least one dose by that July 4th deadline.

KRISTIN MYERS: So I'm just wondering because President Biden has hinted at some not so healthy options. Tell us all about those.

BROOKE DIPALMA: Well, Kristin, you might remember back in March, Krispy Kreme announced that it will provide one free glazed donut to consumers that show a valid vaccination card. It did receive some backlash, saying that it was trading one pandemic for another. That's the obesity crisis in America. However, consumers flocked to Krispy Kreme.

And in addition to that, other companies followed suite. We see White Castle offering complimentary dessert on a stick with those COVID-19 vaccination cards. And in New York City, Shake Shack teamed up with Mayor Bill de Blasio's office to give out free fries with that COVID-19 vaccination card, but also with a purchase of a chicken sandwich or a burger, so Shake Shack sort of winning on this.

And also today, something really interesting-- Unilever is bringing what they say is truckloads of ice cream to vaccination sites that are more hesitant here in the US. And that includes New York City, LA, Phoenix, St. Louis, Memphis, and also Dallas.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: So I know that states also, not just companies, are trying to entice us with some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. We had talked about Ohio offering a lottery of a million dollars. What else are they offering?

BROOKE DIPALMA: Alexis, well, you have it just that, is that Ohio governor announced this week that he's going to give out $1 million to five residents. You have to be 18 years or older and received at least one dose to get eligibility into this major lottery, if you will. In addition to that, tomorrow, in Alabama, the Talladega Speedway is going to be a both COVID-19 testing and vaccination site.

All participants, all people who partake in this event tomorrow will be eligible and will be allowed to drive their car or truck on the speedway, so a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity there. I personally would be a little scared, but hey, if you're in Alabama and you go, this is definitely something you don't want to miss.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Oh, I'm sure they're going to get some takers there. All right, some creative ways, ideas to get people vaccinated. Brooke DiPalma, thanks so much.