California has announced $ 116.5 million in prizes for people who have received or will receive COVID-19 vaccines.
The idea behind the “Vax for the Win” program is to increase interest in vaccines, a critical step in keeping disease rates low and continuing to allow schools and the economy to reopen.
This is how the program works:
What are the most important prizes?
There will be $ 1.5 million cash prizes awarded to 10 winners, who will be selected on June 15.
There will also be prizes of $ 50,000 for 30 winners, half of whom will be selected on June 4 and the rest on June 11.
Who is eligible for the $ 1.5 million and $ 50,000 prizes?
With some exceptions, all California residents – regardless of their immigration status – who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible for these awards.
There are certain individuals who are not eligible, such as the incarcerated and some public employees, such as workers from the California Department of Public Health, the California State Lottery, the California Health and Human Services Agency, the Government Operations Agency , the governor’s office and their immediate family members.
Is it necessary to register to participate in the raffle?
No. Any California resident who has received at least one dose of vaccine is automatically enrolled; Immunization records are on file with the state’s immunization registry.
Can I participate even if I have already been vaccinated months ago?
Do not worry. Even if you were one of the first to get vaccinated in December, you can enter the $ 1.5 million and $ 50,000 drawings.
How will the raffle take place?
The California Department of Public Health “will provide a list of random number identifiers representing each entrant to the California Lottery, which will conduct the drawing using standard practices applicable to drawings that ensure randomness and integrity of the drawing. . The California Lottery will then transmit the selected numbers to the department, which will identify and contact the selected individuals. “
Are the names of the winners made public?
Only if the winners want to be identified.
Can potential winners decline the award?
Yes.
How will you contact me if I am a potential winner?
The California Department of Public Health will attempt to contact you by phone. If they can’t reach you on the first attempt, they will try again, repeatedly, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. But if they cannot reach you within 96 hours of the first contact attempt, they can discard it and move on to next possible eligible winner.
What happens if a minor wins?
The proceeds will go into a savings account, and the child will be able to have control of the funds when they turn 18.
What other prizes are available?
California residents who start getting vaccinated on Thursday are eligible for a $ 50 prepaid card or a $ 50 shopping card for supermarkets such as Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Safeway and Andronico’s.
There are 2 million gift cards available. Incarcerated persons are not eligible.
How do you claim the $ 50 card?
You will receive a redemption code by text message or email within seven to ten days after the last vaccination. (The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, several weeks apart; the Johnson & Johnson only requires one injection.)
If you do not have a mobile phone or email address, call (833) 993-3873 to obtain a physical card between seven and ten days after vaccination. If you do not have a permanent address, call the same number to coordinate delivery of the card.
How do you pay for this?
Money for the vaccination incentive program will come from California’s general fund, said a budget spokesman for Governor Gavin Newsom. State tax revenue is expected to exceed previous estimates by more than $ 75 billion by next summer, allowing the governor and lawmakers to fund various programs.
Newsom intends to tap into the money set aside for pandemic disaster relief and later replenish that account with a portion of the state’s $ 27 billion of federal COVID-19 relief funds recently approved by Congress and the President Biden.
Is this a waste of money?
Officials say it is an imperative public policy goal to increase vaccinations as much as possible.
A high vaccination rate will keep people healthy and reduce the risk of outbreaks among unvaccinated people, allowing schools to continue to reopen and the economy to gain momentum.
How is California doing in administering vaccines?
About 54% of California residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
But officials say it is necessary to increase the number of people vaccinated.
California has seen the average daily number of vaccine doses administered drop from a high of 400,000 in early April to 200,000 a day today.
Additionally, California has yet to make progress in reducing worrisome racial and ethnic disparities in who gets vaccinated.
What incentive does Los Angeles County offer?
This week, a couple of tickets for the Kings or the Galaxy games.
Los Angeles County adult residents getting vaccinated for the first time between Friday and June 3 at LA County, City of Los Angeles, or St. John’s Well Child and Family Center Vaccination Centers They will be able to participate in the drawing of a pair of tickets for the season of the Kings or the Galaxy of Los Angeles.
Can I increase my chances by getting vaccinated multiple times?
Aside from being inadvisable from a health standpoint, Newsom stressed that getting vaccinated beyond the recommended regimen – two doses for Pfizer and Moderna, and one for Johnson & Johnson – will not increase the odds of winning.
“If you want to get vaccinated again because you think you can get your name registered twice, it’s not going to work,” he said. “So don’t get vaccinated again. It won’t make any difference. “
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