Ohio offers shot at $1 million through covid vaccines
May 13—Get a covid vaccine. Win $1 million.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that the state will award five vaccinated adult residents $1 million as an incentive to get more people vaccinated. About half of Ohio's 8.4 million adults have at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccination.
The program will be run by the Ohio Lottery, which will start weekly drawings May 26 for five weeks to award five people $1 million each.
The program, dubbed "Ohio Vax-a-Million" will be paid for by federal coronavirus stimulus cash. Winners will be selected from the state's voter registration database.
Even if all 8 million of the state's adults who are registered to vote are vaccinated by the end of the five-week run, the odds of winning the cash are better than the 1 in 12.6 million odds for the $1 million jackpot in Ohio's Mega Millions drawings.
Ohio's is the biggest pitch thus far in a national movement to get shots in arms to end the pandemic, which has killed nearly 600,000 people in the U.S.
President Joe Biden's goal is to have 70% of the adult population to have received at least one dose of the vaccine by July 4.
On Wednesday, Pfizer's vaccine was approved to be given to kids older than 12.
Ohio's also offering up an incentive for those under 18 to get vaccinated.
DeWine also announced a program where 12- to 17-year-olds can sign up for a chance at a four-year scholarship at a state university.
Eligible youth can register using an electronic portal that will open May 18. Those drawings will be held for five straight Wednesdays. The winner will receive enough to cover tuition, room-and-board and books.
From dollars to doughnuts, other state and local government officials have pulled out incentives to entice people to get vaccinated as demand for the vaccine dips across the nation.
Earlier this month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy launched a "shot and a beer" program that's more in line with Pittsburghers' tastes for an Imp' and an 'Arn.
Connecticut is offering a similar "drinks on us" program that's also designed to boost business at participating restaurants.
Other places are offering up pot, doughnuts and smaller amounts of cash to those who get the vaccine and many companies are also offering incentives including paid time off and gift cards for those who get vaccinated.
Allegheny County employees who get the vaccine receive a $100 bonus, according to spokeswoman Amie Downs.
Port Authority of Allegheny County employees receive a $200 bonus if they get vaccinated, spokesman Adam Brandolph told Trib news partner WPXI.
Pittsburgh offers no incentives, but "vaccine and Covid-related matters are under regular review by the HR and Law departments," Tim McNulty, Mayor Bill Peduto's spokesman, said.
Allegheny County is entering a "new phase" of the pandemic, Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the county's Health Department, said Wednesday.
Covid-related restrictions will be lifting and as people return to normal, being vaccinated is an important part of preventing another surge in case, she said.
Tom Davidson is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tom at 724-226-4715, tdavidson@triblive.com or via Twitter .
