A million-dollar Ohio vaccine lottery has garnered huge controversy across the state as well as from the critics. Perhaps, this could be one of the ways for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to encourage his people to receive a coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.
The event will start on May 26 and it is only exclusive for Ohioans. Even though this sounds to be an effective approach to achieve the immunity herd, this huge prize pool could appear like a waste of money to the state.
Ohio Governor Believes that Everyone Should Get Vaccinated Through this Lottery
Amid the coronavirus scare, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that he will be spearheading a million-dollar vaccine lottery in the state. He will also grant college scholarships for his people, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
Some people criticized him over his lottery plans which should not go on especially during this crisis. However, the COVID-19 advisor of President Joe Biden said that DeWine's action is a "good thing" to lure more people into getting COVID vaccines.
In DeWine's knowledge, he's aware of what's going on around him. Despite others thought that it was only a waste of money, he said that he valued the people's lives that's why he came up with this campaign.
For five weeks starting May 26, the Ohio vaccine lottery will be running in search of the lucky winner of the $1-million prize.
Who Are Eligible to Participate in the Ohio Vaccine Lottery?
According to DeWine, those Ohio residents who are 18 years old and above and who have been given at least one COVID vaccine dose will be eligible in the lottery drive. Five winners each week will receive $1 million.
For those Ohioans who are below 18 years of age who received the vaccine, there will be a separate program in the form of the lottery but the prize will be a full scholarship, additional fees, and tuition, 10 TV reported.
With the help of the state's Lottery Commission, the Ohio State Health Department will be leading the charge in the drawings. Moreover, the prize will come from the unspent COVID-19 relief funds of the said department.
Before this, Ohio has already given million-dollar contributions in federal pandemic funds. Later, the US government will be granting the state nearly $5.4 billion for the COVID relief package.
Could the Vaccine Lottery's Prize Improve Vaccination Trend in Ohio?
According to the University of Chicago behavioral science professor, Jane Risen, the lottery will not affect the minds of those who do not want to be vaccinated especially when the escalating trend of hesitancy in COVID vaccines.
Truly, the $1-million prize is just too hard to handle especially to the needy citizens, but for those who are skeptical of the vaccine's side effects, the persuasion could take a lot of time.
But for those who are worried about side effects or don't want to take time off work, a $1 million prize could be persuasive, she said.
We never know what's running inside Gov. DeWine, but if this continues, achieving herd immunity in Ohio could be possible in the long run.
Related Article: Sign Up for COVID Vaccine Guide: Who is Eligible? Where to Get Second Shot, and MORE
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Written by Joseph Henry
