Publications - Working Papers IER SAS

This paper investigates the effects of a nationwide conditional cash transfer program aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Slovakia. Due to relatively low vaccination rates and overcrowding of hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Slovak government decided to offer € 200 and € 300 cash transfers to individuals older than 60 years, conditional on taking any of the available vaccines at the time. The eligibility requirements result in a sharp discontinuity in treatment assignment at the age threshold. Our results suggest that the program significantly increased vaccination rates in the population. However, overall costs related to the ntervention do not appear to outweigh the benefits.