WEST Virginia is offering guns, pickup trucks, scholarships, and $1million to incentivize residents to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Governor Jim Justice announced the state’s latest effort to get more people vaccinated on Tuesday and said weekly prize drawings will begin on Father’s Day, June 20.
“The faster we get them across the finish line, the more lives that we save,” Justice said while announcing the state’s new incentive program.
The lottery program will run from Father’s Day until August 4, with a drawing every week, Justice said, and everyone in the state who has gotten a shot since they first became available will be eligible.
“To be eligible, you have to go get your first shot,” the governor said.
“When I start through these prizes … there’s going to be a run on people getting their first shot, so go get ’em.
“Go get ’em so you’ll be eligible where we can draw your name, and absolutely you could win something that would be phenomenal.”
Among the prizes up for grabs on Father’s Day are custom hunting rifles and shotguns, two brand new pickup trucks, full-ride scholarships to any state school for age-appropriate residents, state park weekend getaways, lifetime fishing and hunting licenses, and one grand prize of $1million.
Justice also pointed out that half of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated, and encouraged people in the 12 to 35 age group to get out and get the shot.
West Virginia isn’t the only state offering incentives for people hesitant about the Covid vaccine.
Last month Ohio announced five $1million drawings for vaccinated residents.
Maryland also began holding weekly $40,000 lottery drawings for vaccinated residents.
There will be 40 consecutive days of drawings, followed by a grand prize of $400,000 given away on July 4.
New Jersey partnered with local breweries and wineries to get vaccinated adults a free drink, while New York tried different giveaways like lottery tickets and tickets to playoff basketball games.
