Washington State Offers Tech Gadgets and Cash Prizes to Encourage COVID Vaccine Takers
The state of Washington offered several tech gadgets and cash prizes to encourage more vaccine takers in their area. The announcement was made by Washington Governor Jay Inslee on Thursday, according to a KOUW report.
Washington adds to the roster of states in the U.S. that resorted to prizes to encourage more COVID vaccine takers among their residents. It can be remembered that California allotted $116.5 million prize money to those who got their vaccine doses.
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Tech Gadgets and Cash Prize for COVID Vaccine Takers in Washington
Geek Wire reported that prizes will include more than $2 million in cash and gifts from tech companies and other institutions, that Washington will give out as part of their "Shot of a Lifetime" promotional event. The draw that will grant prizes to the residents of Washington will commence on June 8 and continue every Tuesday. The final draw is scheduled to take place on July 13.
Tech companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo, Google, and Amazon will be collaborating with Washington State to give away prizes. Microsoft will give away 300 Xbox and Game Passes, and Google pledged at least 25 Google Nests. KOUW first reported that Amazon will give 40 Echo Dots, but, Geek Wire noted that the company will now give at least 100. Although the exact number was not specified, Nintendo will give away their Switches.
Apart from tech gadgets, the State will also grant cash prizes. Every week, an individual will win $250,000 and the grand draw for $1 million is set to take place. Tuition and book assistance will also award 30 prizes of one-year college tuition fee, for 12- to 17-year-olds. Washington will also give $1 million to four-year and two-year to use for their incentive programs.
Game tickets for Seattle Mariner, Seattle Sounders, Seattle Storm, and Seattle Kraken will also be awarded by the state. Furthermore, four tickets to season 2021 of OL Reigns and a team-signed jersey will also be given away, as well as four club level seats top Seattle Seahawks game and parking passes will be given as a prize.
"These generous programs will encourage more Washingtonians to take this life-saving vaccine," Governor Inslee said. The governor also hoped that the event will be seen as an opportunity to "reopen even sooner than June 30."
A spokesperson from the Governor's Office confirmed that the majority of the prizes will come from the state funds. The official added that what federal dollars might be available is worked out by the Office of Financial Management. Washington is currently seeking to reach a vaccination initiation level of 70 percent among eligible adults in the state.
Eligible for the COVID Vaccine Prizes in Washington
Residents from Washington who were already vaccinated and who received at least one dose of COVID vaccine are eligible for the prizes. However, employees from the Governor's office, the state's Department of Health, and those who will work in the lottery are not allowed to participate.
The DOH will assign each vaccine takers a number and draw the winners from their database. Apart from Washington and California that used prizes to entice more COVID vaccine takers, Oregon, New Mexico, and West Virginia also hopped in the same strategy.
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WATCH: States announce lotteries for vaccinated residents - from ABC News