President Joe Biden has dubbed
June a “month of action” to
boost Covid-19 vaccination rates
in the US before his administration’s 4
July deadline to inoculate 70% of the
country with at least one dose.
The White House has teamed up
with various companies and organizations
to offer free beer, childcare and
outreach to communities with higher
levels of vaccine hesitancy, including
low income and communities of
color.
Some states have upped the ante
themselves in an effort to protect
residents from the pandemic, including
million-dollar cash prizes, and
debt-free education.
Sad to say, Neither Missouri or
Kansas is on the list of State’s delivering
on the vaccine incentives. They
range from money, to free airfare,
money, games consoles, money, guns
(yes guns), money, a rolled marijuana
joint, and did we say money?
WASHINGTON
Four people who live in Washington
are going to be able to win $250,000
with one extra lucky person winning
$1 million. All four of the State’s
universities will be given $1 million
to carry out their own internal
campaigns to promote vaccinations.
Other prizes include scholarships,
airfare and tech, like games consoles
and speakers.
Washington really made the news
when the announced “Joints for Jabs.”
Regulated weed dispensers can give
away one free ready rolled joint to
those who get a Covid vaccine at their
in-store clinic. Others are labelling it
‘Poke and Toke.’
OHIO
Ohio’s governor announced five,
weekly $1m lottery drawings. Following
his announcement, the vaccine
rate is reported to have gone up by
45%
MARYLAND
Every day from May 25 to July 4,
the state is giving a different winner
$40,000. On Jul 4, the final drawing
is for $2 million.
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced
“Vax and Scratch” where individuals
who are vaccinated are entered in for
free into a free New York State Lottery
where the prize range from $20 to $5
million. To get their, individuals must
take their vaccination card to any
retailer selling the tickets, which are
usually sold for $20, and claim their
free scratch card.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia was one of the first
states to offer cash for jabs. Their
first proposal was for a $100 savings
bond aimed at encouraging young
people to get vaccinated. The state’s
new project is another lottery, but the
prizes range from cash, trucks, guns
and scholarships. Goodies and $1m,
will be given out each week until 4
August. The final date will have two
prizes, a jackpot of nearly $1.6m and
another for $580,000.
CALIFORNIA
The Sunshine State is offering over
$15 million dollars in prizes with
their scheme to get more people
vaccinated. Ten residents, aged 12
or over and with at least one vaccine
dose, can win $1.5m. Each Friday, the
state will give away 30 lots of $50,000.
Also from beginning May 27 the
first 2 million California residents to
get fully jabbed with get a $50 gift
card.
COLORADO
Five residents will win $1 million
in a weekly drawing In addition the
state is planning to give out $50,000
scholarship to 25 students who opt to
get the vaccine.
MAINE
Maine’s reward isn’t much on
cash. Their promotion “Your Shot
to Get Outdoors” program permitted
adults over the age of 18 who had
their first dose to get either a $20 LL
Bean credit or a hunting and fishing
license. It was not popular, with less
than 6,000 people claiming anything
in the qualifying time frame of May
11 -15.
MINNESOTA
Minnesota’s “Your Shot to Summer”
promotion to get individuals
vaccinated involved prizes such
as tickets to theme parks, fishing
licenses and gift cards.
NEW JERSEY
“Operation Jersey Summer” offers
gift cards, access to state parks and
wine tastings.
OREGON
Oregon vaccinated residents can
register for a lottery with a $1 million
prize.
ILLINOIS
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker is buying
everyone who gets vaccinated a round
of beer at a participating bar and
restaurant