$10M New Mexico Vaccine Lottery: how to enter and sign up

New Mexico becomes one of twelve states that have introduced a covid-19 vaccine lottery to encourage residents to get their shots. In New Mexico, the Vax-to-Max program will also be giving away free park passes, travel vouchers, and other prizes.

Those who are interested must opt-in to win.

The state has announced they will conduct, five regional lotteries where one winner from each region will be selected to win $250,000. The regional drawings will occur for five weeks, beginning, 18 June.

After the regional drawings are completed, there will be one statewide drawing where one winner will be awarded, the $5 million grand prize.

Where do the New Mexico vaccination numbers stand?

New Mexico has administered 2.1 million covid-19 vaccine doses, leaving fifty-seven percent of the population at least partially protected. Vaccine demand hit an all-time high in March and has been on the decline since. In March and April, the state vaccinated over half a million residents, in May this number dropped to just over 355,000. With only forty-eight percent of the state’s population fully vaccinated, officials hope that the lottery will encourage more residents to begin or complete their vaccination process.

President Biden has announced a target of having seventy percent of all US residents at least partially vaccinated by the Fourth of July. With two months left, New Mexico is about thirteen points short of this goal. If the lottery helps maintain or increase the vaccination levels, the state should be able to reach Biden’s goal. In April, thirteen percent of those eligible received their first dose, this figure decreased to ten percent in May.

How many other states have implemented vaccine lotteries?

Nine states, including New Mexico, have established covid-19 lotteries.

California

California’s vaccine lottery is the largest to be announced and will give away $1.5 million to ten Californians who have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.

Colorado

On 25 Colorado Governor Jared Polis unveiled the “Colorado Comeback Cash Vaccine Drawing” which will select five vaccinated residents to win $1 million.

Since the contest has been announced the percent of residents who have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine increased one point to 45.4%. 

Delaware

On 25 May, Governor John Carney introduced “ DE Wins!,” which described as “a public education and incentive program aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in Delaware.”

All individuals above the age of twelve, who have been vaccinated “will be entered to win $5,000 in cash and additional prizes in twice-weekly drawings conducted by the Delaware Lottery.” On 30 June, two residents that have received a vaccine will be eligible to win the $302,000 grand prize.

Maryland

On 20 May, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion which gives those vaccinated in the state a chance to win $40,000.

On 4 July, one person will be selected to win the $400,000 grand prize.

Ohio


Ohio was the first state to announce a vaccine lottery for both young people and adults. The first of five drawings to select a $1 million winner was held on 26 May.

Vaccinated individuals in Ohio now have four more chances to win. The state has announced that the vaccination rate did begin to increase after Governor Mike DeWine announced the contest.

Oregon

On 21 May, Governor Brown of Oregon, introduced the “Take Your Shot” Program. Residents of Oregon have until late June to get vaccinated to have a chance of wining, $10,000 (37 winners)  or $1 million (1 winner).

Younger Oregonians could win one of five $100,000 scholarships to an Oregon university or colleges.

West Virginia

On 1 June, West Virginia became one of the latest states to launch a covid-19 vaccine lottery. The state will be giving away cash prizes as well as goods like riffles and trucks.

Leaders in Hawaii, Illinois, and Louisiana have announced that their states are working to establish a covid-19 vaccine lottery. More than a dozen states are considering the mater but have not made a decision." Only leaders from Florida, Indiana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, have made their opposition to the concept public.