It looks like the chance to win a million dollars can give vaccination rates a real shot in the arm.
In Ohio, COVID-19 vaccination rates rose 45% between May 14 and 19, compared to the previous week, thanks in part to the state’s Vax A Million Lottery. Governor Mike DeWine told reporters on Wednesday. Last week, the state announced that it saw vaccinations increase by 28% in the days following the lottery announcement.
A Associated press analysis found the number of Ohio residents aged 16 and over who received their first COVID shot rose 33% the following week DeWine announced that the state will award $ 1 million in prizes and state grants to public universities as an incentive to vaccinate more residents.
Each week, adult Ohioans who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine enter a random drawing to win a million dollars. And younger vaccinated Ohio residents between the ages of 12 and 17 will be part of a weekly random draw for a four-year scholarship to an Ohio public university that includes tuition, room, meals and books. There are five winners for each prize selected over the next five weeks.
Wednesday night the Ohio Lottery announced the first two winners: Abbigail Bugenske of Silverton, near Cincinnati, won $ 1 million, while Joseph Costello of Englewood, near Dayton, won the college scholarship. One additional adult and one additional teenage winner will be announced every Wednesday through June 23 at 7:29 PM.
More than 2.7 million adults have registered for the cash prizes, and more than 100,000 teenagers are vying for the scholarships.
The Vax-A-Million hype has led states like New York and Maryland to also announce lotteries for residents who get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced one “Wax & Scratch” programNew Yorkers 18 and older who will be vaccinated at select mass vaccination sites between May 24-28, will receive a free $ 20 scratch-off ticket that can be used to win up to $ 5 million. And Marylands VaxCash lottery Last week it was announced that a vaccinated resident will receive a prize of $ 40,000 every day between May 25 and July 3. A grand prize of $ 400,000 will be awarded on July 4th. The first two winners of the $ 40,000 prize were selected earlier this week. The Baltimore Sun reported. Both winners have remained anonymous.
