The first 200 vaccinated at City Hall get a $50 gift card Wednesday in City Council efforts to combat the “unprecedented surge” in positive COVID-19 cases swamping hospitals in the area.

“Healthcare workers have been battling this pandemic for over 17 months and are at their breaking point and It’s time for us to move past this grim chapter in our nation’s history,” said Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar in a special-called Council meeting. “The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community is to receive the vaccine.”

In their Tuesday meeting, the Council discussed ways to encourage vaccinations in our community as well as rewarding those who are already vaccinated.

They will discuss the consideration of prize giveaways for vaccinated city residents in another meeting September 7th.

The City Hall clinic will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m on Wednesday, September 1.

Individuals 18 and older are eligible to receive their choice of either Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine during the public clinic, free of charge from the Bulloch County Health Department.