May 18, 2021 – Two days after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $5 million lottery to encourage vaccinations, the state saw its highest vaccination day in three weeks.
State health officials said Monday that more than 25,400 COVID-19 vaccine shots were administered Friday.
Maybe more telling were the people who got vaccinated. Vaccinations for residents ages 30 to 74 spiked by 6% after weeks of steady decline, NBC reports.
The number of people vaccinated over the weekend is expected to be available by midweek, state officials said.
DeWine announce the initiative on Twitter on May 12. Under the program, Ohioans 18 and older who have already received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win one of five, $1 million prizes, state officials said.
Ohioans ages 12 to 17 who have had at least one shot can enter to win one of five four-year, full-ride scholarships to state colleges or universities or possibly private institutions, state officials said.
A winner will be announced on five consecutive Wednesdays, starting May 26.
Other states have promoted incentives for residents to get vaccinated, as well — West Virginia offered $100 saving bonds to people ages 16 to 35, New Jersey offered free beers, and New York offered free MetroCards for anyone who gets a shot at a subway vaccination site, NBC News reports.