Gov. Jim Justice rolled out the first set of prizes for West Virginia’s vaccination lottery, including a million-dollar prize.
Justice acknowledged some people question, “Why in the world would you have to give away something to get somebody vaccinated?”
But the governor said, “Unfortunately, it’s the way of the world in a lot of different situations.”
So, Justice said any West Virginian who has been vaccinated from when doses first became available up to the first drawing on June 20 will be eligible. The governor said a registry will be unveiled soon, and he described it as relatively simple. “It won’t take but a second once we get it all in place,” he said.
Giveaways will take place from June 20, West Virginia Day, until August 4. June 20 is also Father’s Day.
The first batch of prizes includes:
- Two four-year, full scholarships to West Virginia colleges for residents between ages 12 to 25
- Two new custom outfitted trucks
- 25 weekend getaways to state parks
- Five lifetime hunting and fishing licenses
- Five custom hunting rifles and five custom hunting shotguns.
- “And we’re going to give away a million dollars to somebody on Father’s Day.”
West Virginia joins other states that are offering prizes for citizens who get vaccinated. Neighboring Ohio’s first million-dollar winner, a 22-year-old Cincinnati woman, was announced last week. In the Ohio incentive’s first week, the state recorded a 28 percent increase in the vaccination rate of those 16 and older.
More states have followed suit. California announced $116.5 million in cash prize giveaways, including the nation’s biggest single prize of $1.5 million.
Justice said the public health benefit is obvious to him: “The faster we get ‘em across the finish line the more lives we save.”
West Virginia’s state coronavirus dashboard indicates 738,574 residents are fully vaccinated and that 915,137 have at least one dose.
At the same time, the number of active covid-19 cases in West Virginia continues to decline steadily. On Monday, the state reported 4,550 active cases. That’s down from 7,151 on May 1.
Clay Marsh, West Virginia’s coronavirus response coordinator, continued to emphasize the importance of vaccinations. He said it’s important to outpace the emergency of new virus variants.
“It’s really exciting the governor has opened up an array of incentives for our residents,” Marsh said.