First, it was free Krispy Kreme donuts. Then Ledos Restaurants across Maryland were giving away free pizzas for the vaccinated. Now, following in Ohio’s footsteps, Governor Larry Hogan has announced that Maryland will participate in its own version of a Vaccine Lottery. On May 21, 2021, Governor Hogan announced Maryland’s new Vax-to-Win promotion, giving away a total of $2 Million in prize money to vaccinated Marylanders.
Over the next forty days, there will be one drawing each day for $40,000. That’s right, 40 drawings over 40 days to win $40,000. On July 4th, one lucky vaccinated Marylander will have the opportunity to win $400,000. And, you don’t have to do anything other than getting vaccinated. That’s it. There’s no sign up to be considered for the lottery, you are automatically entered when you get vaccinated.
How do you enter the Vax to Win promo?
Entry is very simple. There are only 3 qualifications to win the Vaccination Lottery. All you have to do is:
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Maryland.
- Be a Maryland resident.
- Be 18 and older.
That’s it. That’s all you have to do and you have a chance to win up to $400,000 in prize money.
Why is Maryland doing this?
Governor Hogan is looking to increase the number of people vaccinated and specifically to persuade those who are hesitant to get vaccinated. According to CNN, Hogan said more than 67% of Marylands residents 18 and older have been vaccinated and the latter is mean to “push us over the edge.”
According to a tweet by Tyler Fogarty, Maryland currently has a 45.9% of Maryland’s total population has completed their COVID-19 vaccine dosing schedule, and 51.9% of Marylanders (more than 3 million people) have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Why are people hesitating about getting the vaccine? It may be a fear of a bad outcome. People are still worried about the, as of yet unknown, long term side effects of getting the vaccination. The Vaccination Lottery can offset that fear by the possibility of a good outcome of winning as much as $400,000 just for getting a vaccine that builds antibodies to prevent or reduce the severity of a COVID-19 infection.
As Ohio and Maryland are giving away money to their residents through the Vaccination Lottery, New York has decided to join the plan by doing its own version for its vaccinated residents.
Ohio’s Vaccination Lottery
Ohio spearheaded the push to get more people vaccinated by introducing the Vax-a-Million campaign for Ohioans 16 and older. While Maryland is doing 40 drawings over 40 days for $40,000, Ohio will hold five drawings with a prize of $1 million each for people 18 and older. For those vaccinated individuals under 18, Ohio will hold five drawings for full college scholarships. As a mother of four children, that is an appealing option for getting my children vaccinated.
New York’s Vaccination Lottery
New York is taking a different approach to the Vaccination Lottery with a Vax and Scratch lottery system. For a limited time, May 24 through May 28, if someone goes to any of the state’s 10 mass vaccination sites, they will receive a scratch-off ticket for the $5 million Mega Multiplier Lottery.
"You have a one-in-nine chance of winning the lottery. But you get the vaccine and win. If you get the vaccine, then this (mask) goes away. If you are vaccinated, there are more opportunities for you," —Governor Andrew Cuomo
With the help of Ohio, Maryland, and New York, President Biden might meet his goal of having 70% of Americans getting a least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Independence Day.
What do you think of the push to get more individuals vaccinated? Do you think this plan will work?
Should more states participate in a Vaccination Lottery?
If you haven’t already gotten your vaccination, does this incentive make you more inclined to get vaccinated?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.