Illinois launches a lottery to promote vaccination

Concerns about a decrease in vaccination rates have driven Illinois to implement a lottery, following other states.

US.- Illinois is to join the group of states launching lotteries for residents who have received Covid-19 vaccination. The move was announced by Governor. J.B. Pritzker, after he reported a decrease in vaccination rates.

According to the local press, the General Assembly has given the greenlight to the initiative, which involves an official lottery to encourage more residents to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Pritzker said i a briefing at the state Capitol: “It’s the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones. More information will be released soon on the lottery”.

Ohio’s Vax-a-Million lottery success

Ohio was the first state to implement such a lottery. Its Vax-a-Million initiative began in late May with five draws running through June 21, offering $1m prizes.

To be eligible, participants must be Ohio residents, aged 18 and older, and have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Authorities say Ohio’s vaccination rate jumped after the lottery was announced.

While Ohio and Colorado have offered $5m in prizes, California has committed $116.5m in prize money to its initiative.

Governor Gavin Newsom said Vax for the Win currently offers the largest jackpot of all states that have employed such a programme

The website reads: “It’s our biggest ‘thank you’ yet to Californians who have received their COVID-19 vaccine”.