We’ve seen free beer, free pizza, and free donuts offered to incentivize locals to get their coronavirus vaccines.
Now, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is giving all vaccinated residents a chance to win cold hard cash, through a partnership with the state’s lottery.
Hogan announced on Thursday that beginning May 25 the Maryland lottery will randomly select and award a $40,000 prize every day to a vaccinated resident. Drawings will continue daily through July 3, and on the Fourth of July, one resident will claim the grand prize of $400,000. In total, the partnership is pledging $2 million to increase vaccinations in the state.
Residents ages 18 and older and who received a vaccine in the state will be automatically entered to win, including those who were vaccinated before the announcement of the prize.
“Promotions like this are just one more way that we’re reinforcing the importance of getting every single Marylander we can vaccinated against COVID-19,” Hogan said on Thursday. “I know that there are Marylanders that who’ve been hesitating or who just got haven’t gotten around to it yet, but the only way to protect yourself against COVID is to get vaccinated right away.”
“Get your shot for a shot to win,” Hogan added, joined at the Thursday afternoon press conference by a lottery ball mascot.
The pricey program comes as Maryland pushes to vaccinate 70% of all adults in the state by Memorial Day Weekend. As of May 20, the state has administered more than 5.7 million doses, covering 67.3% of residents 18 and older.
Maryland isn’t the first jurisdiction to offer a large financial incentive to boost vaccination enthusiasm, as the nation’s supply of vaccines begins to overcome demand. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $5 million lottery program last week, which will award five individuals with $1 million dollars each for getting their shot. So far, the program has seen mild success.
Colleen Grablick