Disappointment as just 6% sign up for Missouri vaccine lottery

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has expressed disappointment after just 6% of eligible people signed up to take part in the so-called ‘vaccine lottery’ in the state
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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has expressed disappointment after just 6% of eligible people signed up to take part in the so-called ‘vaccine lottery’ in the state, according to Komu.com. 

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced on July 21 that Missouri residents who have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine would be eligible to take part in a state-wide lottery.

Registration for the draw closed on 11 August and, while the MDHSS hoped that the majority of residents would take up the offer and get vaccinated, just 375,000 signed up for the lottery. 

Sami Jo Freeman from the MDHSS, said that those who have taken up the vaccine are already winners. 

“So whenever we set out to create the incentive program itself, we didn’t have a strong target,” Freeman told Komu. “A lot of Missourians were interested and our goal through this program is that everyone’s a winner who receives a vaccine.”

The vaccine lottery programme will reward 900 winners within the state, with those aged 18 and over winning $10,000 in cash, and winners aged 12-17 winning $10,000 through an education savings program.

The first draw for the vaccine lottery is set for August 13, in which 180 winners’ names will be drawn.