By Guy J. Sagi
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) announced on May 27 that state residents vaccinated for COVID-19 may qualify for lottery drawings with a long list of prizes, including firearms. The program is an effort to bolster the state’s inoculation rate, which currently stands at 51.1 percent of those eligible having received at least one dose. “There are going to be so many wonderful prizes that you can win, it will blow you away,” he said. “We are going to make a few West Virginians millionaires before this is over. Some people will win trucks and scholarships and on and on, but we’ve got to get you vaccinated first.”
On June 1 Gov. Justice provided more detail on the vaccine incentive lottery, which runs June 20—the state’s 158th birthday and Father’s Day this year—to Aug. 4. Grand prize will be $1.588 million and the runner-up will receive $588,000. Custom rifles and shotguns will also be awarded, as well as in-state college scholarships, trucks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses and more.
Currently 40.9 percent of the West Virginia’s residents are fully vaccinated. The effort’s goal is to move that figure up to at least 65 percent.
You must sign up, however. “West Virginians who have been fully vaccinated will need to register to be entered to win the prizes,” the June press release from the Governor’s office explains. “A registration website will soon be available and will be announced by the Governor at a press briefing.”
Firearm enthusiasts in Illinois also reaped benefits for receiving a vaccination last month. The Worldwide Shooting and Recreation Complex, in Sparta, IL, provided 100 free targets of trap, skeet or sporting clays good through October for those receiving doses at the facility over a two-day period. Other states have introduced a variety of vaccination incentives, as well. When Ohio introduced its $1 million giveaway, for example, NPR reported the inoculation rate soared.
“Not only are a bunch of people going to win all kinds of great stuff, but, by getting vaccinated, it’ll protect your life and it’ll protect your family and friends all around you,” Gov. Justice said.