It will soon pay to get your COVID-19 vaccine in California – literally.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced "Vax for the Win," a multi-million dollar COVID-19 vaccine incentive program "designed to motivate Californians to get their vaccination leading up to the state’s reopening on June 15."
In this case, the motivation is cold hard cash.
Anyone 12 and older living in the Golden State that’s at least partially vaccinated will be eligible to win cash prizes given out next month, including a $1.5 million prize to 10 lucky Californians on June 15. Additionally, 30 Californians will be chosen to win $50,000 cash prizes on June 4 and June 11, which the governor has termed "$50,000 Fridays."
It’s not just cash. The incentive program extends to grocery gift cards, too.
Beginning Thursday, the next two million Californians to start and finish their COVID-19 vaccination will be entered to receive a $50 electronic prepaid or grocery card, totaling up to $100 million. Winners will be able to select from a $50 virtual prepaid card – which can be spent online – or a $50 grocery gift card from retailers like Kroger (Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Foods Co.) or Albertsons (Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Andronico's Community Markets), both of which own several grocery brands across California.
If you’re among that group, officials said you’ll get a text message with a redemption code for an electronic prepaid card sent to your mobile phone or email address between 7-10 days after getting both Pfizer and Moderna shots or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
"California has already made incredible progress in the fight against COVID-19, with the lowest case rates in the country while administering millions more vaccines than any other state," Gov. Newsom said in a news release. "But we aren’t stopping there, we’re doing everything it takes to get Californians vaccinated as we approach June 15 to help us fully reopen safely."
Importantly, this program does apply to those residents who have already gotten their vaccine. "The incentives aim to give an extra nudge to those who still need to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially those in hard-to-reach communities, while also thanking everyone who has already been vaccinated," officials explained.
All winners are required to complete their vaccinations to claim a prize.
If anyone under 18 is a winner, the cash will go into a savings account for them to claim once they turn 18. While other states boast similar incentive programs, officials said California’s will be the biggest in the country.
More information is available here.
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