It looks like it takes more than a very outside chance at a cool million to lure many people in the state into getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
According to information from state health officials, as of Tuesday, July 6, 43 percent of the state’s total population had been fully vaccinated, and 53 percent of those 18 and over had been.
Those numbers are below state and federal goals set earlier this year. Even North Carolina’s offer of a place in a lottery for $1 million doesn’t seem to be moving the needle much. Early in the vaccination program, the percentage of vaccinated in the state shot up weekly, but now those numbers only crawl forward.
A good percentage of those in the state age 65 or older have been vaccinated – 80 percent – however, in the categories for those less at risk, there’s clearly a great deal of “vaccine hesitancy.”
On Wednesday, July 7 at 10 a.m., the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) – along with the NC Education Lottery – will continue the random drawings for the “Summer Cash Drawing and Summer Cash 4 College Drawing” program – the enticement meant to get more North Carolinians to get vaccinated.
North Carolinians 18 and older who’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are automatically entered into the drawings for a chance to win a $1 million cash prize. Those between the ages of 12 and 17 who have received at least one dose are automatically entered into the drawings to win $125,000 towards their post-secondary education.
Some people are no doubt drawn in by the chance at the money, but these days the vaccine scene is nothing like it was a few months ago when people were frantically jockeying for a place in line to get shots.
In the first of four $1 million dollar drawings, in late June lighting did strike at least close to Guilford County. Shelly Wyramon, a teacher from Winston-Salem, won the $1 million prize. The state announced her good fortune on Monday, June 28.
Vania Martinez, a 14-year-old from Wilmington, won the $125,000 scholarship.
On Tuesday, July 6, the state issued an invitation to media outlets across North Carolina to come to Raleigh and cover the next July 7 drawing – no doubt to generate more publicity for the lottery and see if that would convince more state residents.
After the numbers are drawn in each contest, NCDHHS officials determine the identities of the vaccinated people that correspond to the winning numbers. NCDHHS then verifies that the presumed winners don’t fall under any exclusions from participation in the program and they contact the winners “to get their consent to receive the funds and release their identities.” That process takes several days.
Here are some people who aren’t eligible: The governor and his immediate family; members of the North Carolina Council of State and their immediate family; the secretary of NCDHHS and her immediate family. The independent auditor certifying the drawing is also ineligible, and, interestingly, so is “Any member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) who has access to the vaccination database for the EBCI.”
The $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College Drawings program runs through Wednesday, Aug. 4, when the final drawing will be held. (New entries close at midnight on the Sunday prior to the Wednesday drawings, and the names of all winners will be made public once they’re verified and the winners give consent.)
The odds of winning? Well, that depends on the total number of eligible entries, but, since the demand for the vaccine is relatively low right now, you may have a better shot at a million than heading to Vegas will give you.
Where does the prize money come from?
This was a dumb idea.
The Old North State is about over the edge.
Biden gave it to Roy Boy, and we were forced to give it to Biden.
I made darn sure my 17 year old got her shot this week. Come on COVID $. Daddy needs to pay for college!
Are bribes the new Govt M.O?
A chance at (financial) prosperity has always been our country’s M.O. why did you think Americans would suddenly start doing the right thing just because?
Didn’t you? I did.
My soul is worth much more than a paltry $1 million. With all the hype & uncertainty surrounding said vaccine(s) there won’t be any in our household anytime soon. Follow the science you say? That’s exactly what we’re doing. Not media hype, but real science and experiences.
What uncertainty? Millions have received the vaccine with nothing more than expected side effects that dissipate in a couple of days. mRNA is a long established method for vaccines on a smaller scale (at 6 or more past vaccines use the methodology on the market for over 10 years). You are drinking the Kool-Aid of fools.
You have the right and freedom to not accept the vaccine but don’t spew ignorance. I hope most know this…but you should discuss the vaccine with your doctor. Not a couple of randos on the internet comment section.
Look at https:\\openvaers.com to see the “science” of all the adverse reactions from the shots. This is only 1% of all cases since most are not reported. Over 400,000 adverse reactions, including deaths, permanent and temporary injuries!
Nearly 7,000 DEAD from the shots!
How do the “benefits outweigh the risks” of death? There is no “hesitancy”! There is, “hell no I’m not taking death shots!
That’s why a lot of people get the flu every year. For me, getting the flu is serious enough for me to risk the flu vaccine every Fall. And for the Covid.
Totally agree – the government has no right to tell anyone what to do with their bodies!!! Only the individual can choose what happens to their body. That is a basic freedom
That’s about half the number of deaths from Covid-19 itself only in NC. You presented national data reflecting about 150 million people. Yes there is a chance of side effects.
Car crashes are more deadly in NC than the data you presented. Quick stop driving.
If I understand correctly children from 20 years old to any age downward ,they will have a 0.0005 per cent chance of getting COVID.In fact they will probably get a negative reaction from the shot more often.Do not let the government give your children shots they don’t need.With this being a blue state and having a King(Democrat) as Governor,they will be giving shots without Parental consent.STOP it PARENTS.I can’t wait for the ouster of this person who is our governor and the people of NC will make the right decision and get a competent Governor.
“Take the vaccine! Take the vaccine! ”
– Your masters really want you to take the vaccine.
“You have a chance at winning a million Dollars!”
– You have a better chance of winning a serious case of heart inflammation, blood clotting, or an immune disease like Parkinson’s or MS (longer term)
“I’m from the government and I’m here to help you! In fact, we’re going to be going door-to-door very soon so as to identify the Refuseniks for future targeting. Er, I mean, so we can help “persuade” you to get injected”
– Welcome to the United States of Authoritarianism.