COVID Vaccine Incentive: California Allots $116.5 Million Prize Money to Those Who Got Their Doses

By Mary Webber (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: May 27, 2021 10:17 PM EDT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at The Unity Council on May 10, 2021 in Oakland, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $100 billion economic recovery package for the state that would include a new round of $600 stimulus checks for low-income residents making up to $75,000 a year. An estimated two out of three Californians would receive the check and families with children would receive an additional $500. Newsom also announced a projected $75.7 billion budget surplus compared to last year's projected $54.3 billion shortfall. (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California is giving away the largest prize money as a vaccine incentive, worth $116.5 million, in hopes to encourage millions to get their doses in the state.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday the prizes, including $1.5 million each for 10 Californians. This is considered to be the largest single award offered in any state. Newsom said that they are putting aside more resources as compared to any other state in America, making available the largest prize for those who want to be vaccinated, according to an ABC News Go report.

In addition, the state will give $50 gift cards either for general use or for specific grocery stores to the next two million people who get shots. Another 30 people will win $50,000 each, with those drawing starting June 4. Anyone who got at least their first dose of the vaccine will be eligible for the prize money, according to a KCRA report.

The state estimates that about 12 million residents have not yet been vaccinated, while 63 percent of the 34 million eligible have gotten their vaccine. However, the pace was slow in the recent weeks as the infection rates have plummeted to a record low.

COVID Vaccine Incentive

The federal government has approved states to offer incentives to encourage eligible residents to get the COVID vaccine, according to a USA Today report. Cash payments, lotteries, and other incentive programs are allowed as long as they are justifiably expected for the public health benefit.

Andy Slavitt, the White House senior adviser on the national COVID-19 response, said they encourage states to use their creativity to draw attention to vaccines, as well as get states and the country back to normal as quickly as possible.

Slavitt had cited Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine with the state's Vax-a-Million program. The said program did not just increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate of the state.

The senior adviser on COVID's response said that people care about getting vaccinated. However, they, too, have other things to care about.

The vaccination rate in Ohio has increased 55 percent after the announcement of Vax-a-Million. Ohio is handing out $1 million prizes to five winners and full-ride college scholarships to five students age 12 to 17.

Maryland, New York, and Oregon have also announced similar programs.

New York is raffling 50 full scholarships to children 12 to 17 to public universities and colleges in the state.

U.S. Vaccination Program

The Biden administration has announced on Tuesday that half of the country's adults are now vaccinated. Slavitt called the vaccination rate a major milestone in the country's vaccination efforts.

Around 130 million people have already completed their vaccine doses, particularly those in the age group of 18 and older, according to an NPR report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that an additional 70 million vaccine doses are awaiting distribution.

WATCH: California To Offer $116M In Coronavirus Vaccine Prize Money - from KPBS

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