This Midlands county will give you a $100 gift card if you get the COVID-19 vaccine

Richland County is giving away $100 gift cards in effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations across the region.

The vaccine drive will be held on Oct. 30 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia, located at 201 Columbia Mall Blvd. in Columbia.

The first 250 new vaccine recipients who are Richland County residents will receive a free gift card. Those who already have a COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible for the giveaway.

Anyone 12 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine, which is free and doesn’t require insurance. Workers for the Medical University of South Carolina will administer the Pfizer vaccine.

Currently, South Carolina has a 54% vaccination rate, which is among the lowest in the country.

“Through this incentive program, County Council hopes to encourage residents to get the vaccine in order to raise the vaccination rate in Richland County,” said Councilwoman Yvonne McBride said in a news release. “Residents can stop in at their convenience and do their part to improve the health of our community.”

The county also announced Monday that the drive will be in conjunction with a community expo held on the same day. The expo, which aims to promote neighborhood independence through supporting local businesses, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Place Mall parking lot, located at 7201 Two Notch Road in Columbia.

The event will have food from local restaurants and will provide candy for kids dressed up in Halloween costumes.

To attend the expo, people must register at .www.richland-exhibition.eventbrite.com. Face coverings are required, and physical distancing will be enforced.

For more information about the vaccine drive, call 843-876-7227 or visit muschealth.org/get-vaccine.