Vaccine lotteries: who's offering them?

The demand for Coronavirus vaccines started to fall across the U.S. as those most eager to become vaccinated received their shots.

Now that the vaccine efforts are slowing, some state leaders are turning to incentives such as “vaccine lotteries” as a way to encourage people to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

What is a vaccine lottery and what states are offering one?

A vaccine lottery is a campaign that’s aimed to motivate people to receive the Coronavirus vaccination. As the number of people receiving the shot levels off and begins to drop, several states are offering incentives to reach the minimum 70% of fully vaccinated adults medical experts say will achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 in the US.

As of May 25, 2021, the following states are offering a state-run lottery:

• Ohio residents who are fully vaccinated have a chance to win one of five drawings with a $1 million prize.

• Maryland is hosting a dedicated lottery for vaccinated residents. The Maryland Lottery will randomly select a vaccinated citizen for a $40,000 cash prize every day for 40 days.

• New York residents who are vaccinated will be given a lottery ticket with a chance to win up to **$5 million! **

• Delaware has launched a campaign that allows anyone 12 years old or older will be entered to win $5,000 cash and additional prizes in drawings conducted by the Delaware Lottery twice weekly. At the end of the campaign, every Delawarean who has received the vaccine will be entered to win a $302,000 cash prize.

• New Jersey is offering a chance to win dinner with Governor Phil Murphy. The winner can choose between dinner at the Drumthwacket mansion or the governor’s beach house on Island Beach State Park.

Are these incentives enough for people to get vaccinated?

When we asked our Jobcase community “would you get a vaccine for a million dollars?” the responses were varied! Some members were happy to accept the chance of winning a million dollars:

”well if it's going to work and l have a chance to survive, l would do it 1 million l could retire.”
- Jorge Baez, Jobcase member

”Absolutely 100% completely after all I did it for free so why not for a million bucks. We need a little joy and excitement in our lives in any fashion after the year we just went thru. So I say if that is what it takes to get even more people vaccinated I say go for it and congrats to whoever wins the pots and the scholarships.”
- Rosanne Alleyne, Jobcase member

While others felt a monetary incentive to receive the vaccine is unnecessary:

”It is pretty sad when people feel the need to be rewarded a million dollars or any other offer for getting vaccinated.”
- Karen Colasanti, Jobcase member

”no this is wrong there should not be a lottery for paying people to get the vaccine the money needs to go to helping people who are in need or to supply more vaccine.”
- Sue Klein, Jobcase member

There are also other members who have no desire to get the vaccine, lottery offerings or not.

What are your thoughts on vaccine lotteries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!