West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) has a new partner in his fight to get his state vaccinated against COVID-19: his bulldog, Babydog.
“If you won’t do it for your family, you’ve got to get vaccinated for Babydog,” Justice said during a Friday press conference shared to Twitter. “That’s all there is to it.”
Justice said he brought the pup to make people smile as he promotes the necessity of immunization in combating the coronavirus.
“Without any questions she’ll give you a high-five,” he said, while holding the bulldog’s paw up in the air as the camera zooms in on her.
“She wants you vaccinated so badly, and she’s going to absolutely be the one to lead us through all these incentives,” he said.
West Virginia is one of many states that has recently launched COVID-19 vaccine incentives. Young adults aged 16-35 are eligible to receive a savings bond or $100 gift card through the state government when they are immunized.
California on Thursday became the latest state to offer financial prizes to combat vaccine hesitancy. Among the offerings are 10 chances to win a $1.5 million cash lottery prize.