CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and his sidekick Babydog will hit the road again soon to give out prizes as part of a second COVID-19 vaccination program.
Justice announced the ‘Do It For Babydog 2’ program Friday. Like the first program, it’s open to any West Virginian who has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
He said as much as $8 million in federal pandemic relief money would be used in an attempt to incentivize more state residents, especially younger state residents, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Justice said the prizes are aimed at the younger population.
“We’re giving away lots and lots and lots of scholarships here. We’re giving away sports cars and ATVs,” Justice said.
The program will go for six weeks. You have to have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to be eligible. Justice said registration is required. He said those who registered for the first incentive program will need to register again. Registration begins Monday with the first of six drawings set for Aug. 31.
The list of prizes include:
- 5 full-ride scholarships to any higher education institution in West Virginia for individuals age 12 to 25 per week,
- 1 luxury sports car per week,
- 4 ATV’s, side by side’s, or top of the line zero turn lawn mowers per week,
- 1 custom fishing or pontoon boat per week,
- $150,000 toward a dream wedding for 1 West Virginian per week,
- Free gas for 10 years for 2 West Virginians per week
- 6 season ticket packages to WVU or Marshall sporting events, and
- 5 season lift tickets to ski resorts in West Virginia.
Justice said vaccinations have continued to increase in West Virginia in recent weeks but it’s not enough. He said 4,100 had received shots since Wednesday.
Vaccination numbers posted on the state DHHR dashboard show less that half of the state’s 12 to 40-year-old population have been vaccinated.
The first Do It For Babydog program included $1 million prizes, fancy pick-up trucks, college scholarships, state park trips, hunting and fishing licenses. Justice maintained Friday the program increased the vaccination numbers.
“From the date that we started the last campaign through when we ended the campaign there was 180,000 people who got vaccinated,” Justice said.
Justice said the up to $8 million used on the new program would be a “drop in the bucket” when compared to saving a life. He said he wishes he didn’t have to take this step to convince people to be vaccinated but it’s necessary.
“It’s kind of a shame to think we’ve got to do something to incentivize people to get vaccinated to be able to save their lives or their friends or their families or whomever it may be, It’s kind of shame we’ve got to go to that but we do anything and everything we can to get people across the finish line,” Justice said.
The governor’s office said more details will be provided on Monday and all details are subject to change.