Baton Rouge bars offer free shots of booze if you get a Moderna vaccine

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - For students in the 225 area who want to get a COVID-19 vaccine, there’s a shot-for-shot deal in the Capital City happening this week.

Several Baton Rouge bars are teaming up with healthcare company, Relief Tele-Med to roll out the “Shots for Shots” campaign.

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At their pop-up vaccine clinic Thursday, April 22 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in Tigerland, those who registered to get their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, also became eligible to get a free drink.

Participating bars included Fred’s, Reggie’s, The House, Mike’s, and JL’s Place.

Under the signature big white tent at Fred’s in Tigerland, it wasn’t shots of fireball that were given out today. Instead, it was shots of Moderna.

“When I told my mom in Texas, I was going to get vaccinated at Fred’s, she said no you’re not. And I was like no, like it’s legit, they’re getting people to come here,” said Meredith Clark, LSU student.

“The students are comfortable with coming to Tigerland and coming to Fred’s. And they almost feel at home here, at least some of them. So, if they feel more at home here than a local clinic, then we’ll try to help out,” said Jason Nay, co-owner of Fred’s in Tigerland.

It’s part of a big state-wide push to bring vaccines directly to certain populations.

“I definitely think having it here pulls in the younger crowd, but also we get like fre no cover cards. So, I feel like you’re definitely getting a 2 for 1 by coming here,” said Clark.

“Yeah, yeah we all definitely know where it is, so it’s very easy to find,” said Ethan Olsen, an LSU student.

“It’s in a good location being that it’s right near campus, and that it’s easy access for students and even some of the residents who live in the neighborhoods. So you know. it makes it easy for them to get their first dose, and then we can give them their second dose,” said Ashleigh Variest, with Relief Tele-Med.

The only issue, only around 30 people showed up to get a COVID-19 shot.

Dr. Joseph Kanter with the Louisiana Department of Health, hopes that there will be more events like this in the future.

“I’ll put the call out there, now that we have a lot of supply, anyone in the state that has an idea, or wants to do a vaccine event that they think is novel, that they think is going to get interst, be exciting, or be able to reach people that haven’t been reached, we would love to hear it, we would love to partner with them,” said Dr. Kanter.

“To get a vaccination, and knowing that it’s a step forward into normalcy, means a lot,” said Melissa Kim, an LSU student.

On Friday, April 23 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., the campaign continues at MidTapBR.

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