By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – UTRGV employees who have received the COVID-19 vaccine booster/third dose are eligible to receive $100 or a UTRGV swag pack (valued at $100) through a new employee vaccine incentive. 

As part of UTRGV’s efforts to keep its campuses safe as it returns to normal operations this spring, the university is using federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) to incentivize employees to update their UTRGV Vaccine Portal. 

“This is our way of showing appreciation to our UTRGV employees for doing their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our university community,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “From the beginning of this pandemic our employees have been on the front lines, in a virtual classroom, working from the office or home to ensure that UTRGV continues to provide a quality education to our nearly 30,000 students.”

To qualify to receive the funds, employees must: 

• Get their booster shot/third dose by April 8, 2022; if  employees have already received their booster/third dose, they are also eligible.
• Update the UTRGV Vaccine Portal with booster shot/third dose date.
• Upload vaccine card.

This employee incentive program is available to all active non-student employees who have a current assignment in the PeopleSoft HR System. Employees will have the option to elect $100 (subject to payroll tax) or a UTRGV Swag Pack that includes a sweatshirt, baseball cap, tumbler cup, car decal, drawstring backpack and key chain.

 

WHERE TO GET COVID-19 BOOSTER? 

UTRGV employees looking to get their booster/third dose can do so by appointment at the UT Health RGV Employee Health locations. Request an appointment via your UTRGV Vaccine Portal or call UT Health RGV Employee Health locations directly: Edinburg: (956) 296-1731 and Harlingen: (956) 296-1519

In addition, UT Health RGV is planning to hold pop-up booster events in the future. Please check link.utrgv.edu/booster-incentive/ for the latest information.

If an employee is unable to get a booster/third dose at the employee health clinic they can make an appointment online at any UT Health RGV location by visiting: utrgv.edu/vaccine/, or go to any public, designated location, like a pharmacy, local health department or primary care clinical sites. 

For university updates, daily self-screening questions and campus protocols, visit www.utrgv.edu/commitment/.