*The second drawing will take place next Friday, June 11.
*California ranks eighth in the world with more than 38 million vaccinations administered
This Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the first 15 Californians who will receive $50,000 each for having been vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of Vax for the Win.
The $750,000 awarded in today's random drawing is part of this new program in California that seeks to distribute a total of $116.5 million.
The nation's largest vaccine incentive program includes $50 gift cards for newly vaccinated residents and cash prize drawings for everyone who has received at least one dose.
The historic program is designed to encourage Californians to get vaccinated before the state reopens on June 15.
California ranks eighth in the world with more than 38 million vaccines administered; more than 70 percent of the adult population has received at least one dose.
"The state has made incredible progress in the fight against COVID-19, with the lowest case rates in the entire country and millions more vaccines administered than any other region. But we're not stopping there - we're doing whatever it takes to get Californians vaccinated as we approach June 15 to help us safely reopen and get the state roaring again," said Governor Newsom.
A creative approach with Vax for the Win
Since the launch of Vax for the WinApproximately one million doses of vaccine have been administered, including approximately 350,000 Californians who are just beginning their vaccination process.
"Given that more than 70 percent of adults have already received at least one dose, the program will Vax for the Win is the creative approach we need to give the final push to those who remain unvaccinated," said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer.
More than 21 million Californians over the age of 12 are at least partially vaccinated and have been automatically entered to win cash prize drawings.
The second drawing of $50,000 will take place next Friday, June 11, when 15 more citizens will be selected.
On June 15, when California safely reopens, 10 winners will be selected to receive $1.5 million each, for a total of $15 million in cash prizes.
In addition, the 2 million newly vaccinated Californians who have received their doses since the launch of Vax for the Win will be eligible to receive $50 prepaid and grocery cards.
The winners of today's drawing reside in the counties of: Mendocino, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Diego, San Francisco, Orange, and San Luis Obispo.
Winners began to be notified directly by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) within hours of the drawing and over the next four days by phone, text message, email or other form of contact associated with the vaccine registry.
Winners must complete their vaccination schedule in order to claim their prize. If a minor is a winner, the cash prize will be deposited in a savings account until he/she turns 18 years of age. To protect their privacy, winners will have the option of accepting their cash prize while remaining anonymous or declining it.
You can learn more about the Vax for the Win program here.
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