Ohio Expands Vaccine Lottery Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio doubled the amount of its new Vax-to-College program on Friday to $ 2 million and plans to expand the age range to include children 5 years and older once the vaccine is released will be cleared for them at the end of the month.

“Now is the time for young Ohioans to get the facts and make the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves and others,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of health for the State, during a press conference.

The announcement comes as state health officials sounded the alarm on the rate of younger patients falling ill and hospitalized with COVID-19. The vast majority of these patients are not vaccinated.

Vanderhoff detailed changes to the new program aimed at increasing the number of vaccinations, including increasing the number of scholarships from $ 10,000 to 150, and hopes to expand the age group to include the youngest of the Ohio.

Unlike the Vax-a-Million program introduced in the spring, winners can invest in anything from college to business school to other advancement opportunities.

The program initially targeted residents aged 12 to 25 who have received the coronavirus vaccine, but are now awaiting emergency use clearance from the FDA for the Pfizer vaccine expected in late October to include 5-11 year olds. .

In addition to the $ 10,000 prizes, the Enrollment Program will also provide five Ohioians with the $ 100,000 Grand Prize to be used at college, university, Ohio Tech / Business School, or the program. career of their choice.

Residents are encouraged to enter only after receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. Lottery draws were originally scheduled for mid-October but are now postponed until FDA clearance.

Nearly 54% of Ohioans began the vaccination process on Friday, or about 6.3 million people, according to the state’s dashboard. Just over 50% completed the process, or around 5.8 million people.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine had started the nationwide movement to offer financial incentives to people wishing to receive the vaccine in May with the Ohio Vax-a-Million program, a lottery that awarded five prizes of a million dollars for adults and five full scholarships for children. .

While there was enthusiasm for the program, it only resulted in a temporary increase in vaccinations before the numbers plummeted again. In July, the governor suggested he could launch a more modest statewide incentive program, then suspended the idea of ​​urging the FDA to grant full approval for COVID-19 vaccinations. .

$ 2 million to be awarded; age range to include 5 years and over