$1 million Massachussets vaccine lottery: how to enter and sign up
Massachussets joins a growing list of states enticing residents to get vaccinated using $1 million cash prizes and university scholarships.
Massachusetts has announced a vaccine lottery with five $1 million payouts. This summer, the lottery will offer the chance to win $1 million or a $300,000 college scholarship, but only to residents who are fully vaccinated.
In an effort to boost vaccinations, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a new “Mass VaxMillions” lottery, offering fully vaccinated residents the chance to win.
Vaccinated residents entitled to enter
From July 1, any Massachusetts resident who has gotten both doses of the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson, will become eligible to register for the giveaway on the state’s website.
Fully vaccinated residents who are 18 or older will have a chance to win one of the five $1 million prizes. Those between the ages of 12 and 17 will be eligible to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.
"If you’re not vaccinated, you can’t play"
Speaking during a press conference, Baker said: "If you’re not vaccinated, you can’t play".
He also noted that "entries can be submitted on a rolling basis," meaning that there is time for residents of Massachusetts to get fully vaccinated before the lucky winners are selected this summer.
Winners required to provide verification
Drawings will run once a week for five weeks, from July 26 through to August 27. The last day of registration is August 20. Winners will be required to provide verification to prove that they received their shots. Those who want to enter also have to be legal permanent residents of Massachusetts and must have gotten the vaccine in Massachusetts to be eligible.
"If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines and thinking about getting vaccinated, but for whatever reason haven't, here's another reason for you to come forward, protect yourself, your friends, your co-workers, and your neighbors by getting vaccinated here in the commonwealth," Baker said.
Over 80% of Massachusetts partially vaccinated
Over 80 percent of Massachusetts adults are at least partially vaccinated. Baker's administration has been focusing on making covid-19 shots more convenient and accessible in the lower income communities that were hardest hit by deadly virus.