EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: Community Voices Kroger Announces New Vaccine Payment for All Associates By Staff Wednesday, February 10, 2021 10:15 AM As we move into a new phase of the pandemic, we're increasing our investment to not only recognize our associates' contributions, but also encourage them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available to them to optimize their well-being as well as the community's.Tim Massa, chief people officer at supermarket company Kroger, commenting in a news release late last week after the company announced that it will provide a one-time payment of $100 to all associates who receive the full manufacturer-recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.