California vaccine lottery: how to participate in July 1st Dream Vacation contest?
The winners for the $1.5 million grand prizes in California’s vaccine lottery were announced on Tuesday, but there are still more prizes to claim.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that California will be giving away more prizes to entice state residents who still haven’t been vaccinated to go out and get their jab. The winners will be announced on 1 July but recipients will still need to finish their vaccine series before they can collect the prize.
The announcement came the day before the state drew the winning names for the “Vax for the Win”, the Governor’s $116 million in prizes lottery scheme. The initiative was designed to get shots in arms of those that are skeptical about getting vaccinated or just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.
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Governor Newsom congratulated the state’s residents for their efforts to get the state to 70 percent with at least on shot in the arm saying “We are here because of your hard work. We’re here because of your resilience. We’re here because of 40 million Californians that met, dare I say, the moment — many different moments over the course of the last 15 months.”
But the Governor cautioned it was “not a day to spike the football; this is not a day where we announce mission accomplished, quite the contrary.” The state will now give lucky residents a chance to win six trips along with other incentives continue the push to get the rest of the state vaccinated.
“Golden State Getaways” chance at a dream vacation
The ten $1.5 million prizes announced on Tuesday, coinciding with the 15 June reopening of California, were supposed to mark the end of the lottery incentive. Now residents who go get their first shot, along with all other residents 18 and older that previously got at least one shot will now be automatically eligible to win one of six “Dream Vacations”. The destinations will be located around the state as part of the effort to jump start California's tourism industry.
The prizes include stays at luxury hotels along with gift certificates for entertainment and meals for up to four people. The businesses are providing the freebies but the state will chip in another $2,000 in cash to cover the winners' expenses.
Destinations include:
Those who are interested can get more details for each package at Visit California.
Other incentives for Californians to get vaccinated
All state residents 12 and older can participate in other incentive programs as part of California’s “Vax for the Win” but they are first-come, first-serve or time limited.
As of 15 June, the California Lottery was still announcing that the first 2 million to get their first jab on or after 27 May could get a $50 virtual cash card, Kroger card, or Albertsons card. In order to receive the $50 card though, recipients must finish the vaccine series.
Another first-come, first-serve incentive are ticket giveaways for any Six Flags park in California. You will need to get your shot at a participating clinic before supplies run out as each clinic has a limited number available.
Those who can show proof of vaccination will be able to get a discount on select California team’s merchandise between 15 and 20 June. The Team LA store in the Staples center is offering 15 percent off merchandise from the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Galaxy, or Kings, only at the store. Clippers fans can shop online to get their 15 discount through the team’s online store.
Golden State Warrior and Sacramento Kings fans will get a 20 percent off merchandise at the teams’ stores at the Chase Center and DOCO respectively.