Sunday Is Deadline To Enter Ohio's 1st Vax-a-Million Lottery

COLUMBUS, OH — The deadline to enter Ohio's first Vax-a-Million lottery is Sunday 11:59 p.m.

The first drawing for a $1 million prize will take place Monday, with the winner being publicly announced on Wednesday evening. The Ohio Lottery will use a random number generator to pick the winner.

If you miss the deadline for the first lottery, you'll have four more weeks to get vaccinated and registered for the contest. Additional drawings will be held every week for four weeks.

Millions of Ohioans have already registered for the first contest, the state health department announced. However, 5.1 million Ohioans have started the vaccination process and there are 11.6 million residents in the Buckeye State. The Ohio Department of Health said not everyone who has entered is eligible to win.

Read more: $1 Million Vaccine Giveaway Changes: What You Need To Know

"Once you enter, your entry will be carried over through all the drawings. You do not need to submit your name each week. The entry list will be reviewed, and all duplicate entries will be removed prior to each week’s drawing. In addition, any winner will be removed from the eligible draw list for subsequent drawings," the Ohio Department of Health said.

The lottery is an opt-in program, meaning vaccinated residents are not automatically entered into the contest. Instead, residents must register online at ohiovaxamillion.com. Those without Internet access can also enter by phone at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Following Wednesday's announcement of the first winner, four additional Ohioans will win $1 million prizes. Winners will be drawn on consecutive Mondays and then announced on Wednesdays. The interim between selection and announcement will give health officials time to verify a resident's vaccination status.