Updated July 1, 1:41 p.m. ET
Michigan is incentivizing people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by awarding $4.5 million in cash and nearly $500,000 in college scholarships in a series of lottery-style giveaways.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the program with business, health and nonprofit leaders on Thursday.
The “MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes” comes after other states have offered millions of dollars in incentives to boost vaccination rates.Whitmer said she took inspiration from state officials in neighboring Ohio, who were able to increase vaccination rates significantly among younger people with a similar sweepstakes.
“I know some of you must be thinking, didn't Ohio do this first? Well, yes, they did. But in typical Michigan fashion, we wanted to do it bigger and better than they can do in Ohio. And that’s what we are here to announce,” Whitmer said.
Anyone 18 or older is eligible for both a $1 million prize and a $2 million jackpot.
Vaccinated residents ages 12 to 17 are eligible for one of nine prepaid tuition contracts valued at $55,000. Parents or guardians will need to apply on their behalf.
Kerry Ebersole-Singh is the director of the Protect Michigan Commission. She said people who get vaccinated this month and register will also be entered into a daily drawing.
“We have $50,000-dollar daily drawings, you ask how many days? 30. We're going to do 30$50,000 daily drawings. We must obviously check your vaccine status,” Ebersol-Singh said.
About 62% of Michigan residents ages 16 and older have gotten at least one dose. State officials want to see at least 70% vaccinated — roughly 768,000 more people.
“From the start, our vaccination goal has been to vaccinate 70 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and up. With the sweepstakes, we hope to increase our rate bythatninepercent,” Whitmer said.
The sweepstakes runs from July 1 to August 3, 2021.
Registration and eligibility for the sweepstakes can be found at: www.MIShotToWin.com.
