Ohio announces first winner of its $5 million COVID-19 vaccine sweepstakes
More On:
COVID vaccine
Woman sped through vaccine tent in protest, cops say
New York giving away 50 full college scholarships to vaccinated teens
Tiny percent of vaccinated Americans report ‘breakthrough’ COVID infections
COVID milestone: White House says half of US adults fully vaccinated
The coronavirus vaccine cash has begun to flow in Ohio.
Abbigail Bugenske won a million dollars after getting immunized against COVID-19, and Joseph Costello earned a college scholarship, according to the Vax-A-Million program’s website.
Bugenske currently works as an engineer in Silverton, and was overwhelmed by the financial shot in the arm, and tight-lipped after Wednesday’s drawing, according to Fox 8 in Cleveland.
Bugenske got vaccinated before the sweepstakes was announced and wants to encourage others to do the same, her mother told the local station.
Joseph Costello, 14, posed with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after winning free tuition at any state university.
“Congrats, Joseph! You just won a full-ride college scholarship! If you’re between 12 and 17 years-old and had at least one dose of the vaccine, you could be next!,” the Republican tweeted.
The Northmont High School student, who plans to attend “University of Dayton, Miami University, or Ohio State University,” spoke to NBC 4 in Columbus.
“I’m very happy my scholarship is taken care of, but still taking in the moment about it,” Costello reportedly said.
The Buckeye State is still giving out $4 million in prizes, and will announce the next winners on Memorial Day, according to officials.
Nearly 2.8 million residents have already entered the drawing and gotten immunized, health officials said.
“We’re excited that this has inspired so many Ohioans to get vaccinated, and we’re thrilled to announce the winners of the first round of drawings,” DeWine said in a press release.
After Ohio introduced its lottery program, New York followed suit with its own $5 million vaccine lottery sweepstakes, called “Vax and Scratch.”
Prior to that, officials were dangling chintzy vaccination incentives in front of New Yorkers, like a weekly MetroCard and a two week Citi Bike membership.
Share this article:
Source: Read Full Article
