Vaccinations Up In Ohio Since Vax-a-Million Lottery Announcement

OHIO — COVID-19 vaccinations spiked after Ohio's Vax-a-Million $1 million lottery announcement last week.

Between May 7 and May 10, vaccination rates dropped 25 percent compared to the prior weekend. On May 12, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that five vaccinated Ohioans would win $1 million through a random lottery.

Then, the following weekend, from May 14 to May 17, vaccination rates increased 28 percent from the prior weekend, the Ohio Department of Health announced.

“This dramatic increase in vaccinations indicates that the Vax-a-Million drawing has been impactful in creating momentum for vaccinations throughout Ohio,” said Stephanie McCloud, director of the Ohio Department of Health.

On Monday, 31,342 Ohioans received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the state health department said.

However, while clarifying the goal of the Vax-a-Million lottery earlier this week, McCloud said Ohio had not established clear-cut numerical goals for how many new Ohioans should get vaccinated post-lottery announcement.

In addition to the Vax-a-Million lottery for adults, Ohio has also received thousands of entries for the youth scholarship opportunities. Through that program, five Ohio teens will receive full, four-year scholarships to any state school of their choosing. The program is open to Ohioans 12 to 17.

“We are grateful that the drawings are helping spur Ohioans to take this important measure to protect their health, their loved ones, and their community. Vaccines are our best tool to return to the lives we remember from before the pandemic," McCloud said.