PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 53-year-old Oak Lane man is one of the first $50,000 winners in Philadelphia’s COVID-19 vaccine sweepstakes.
Daniel Silva is among the 12 winners in the first of three drawings for prize money.
Silva said he was hesitant about getting the vaccine at first, but his doctor convinced him it was the right thing to do.
"I believe by doing the right thing, good will keep on coming, and look at where I am now," said Silva, who became $50,000 richer after his name was drawn for the top prize in the first round of the sweepstakes.
The other $50,000 winner wanted to remain anonymous, and did not attend the announcement at a health center in Kensington.
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University of Pennsylvania Psychology Professor Angela Duckworth helped design the contest to provide maximum incentives. She said other winners are still being contacted for their $1,000 to $5,000 prizes.
Duckworth explained that one person selected for a $5,000 prize was unvaccinated, and lost the chance to get the money.
"Every Philadelphian is eligible, so long as they have had their vaccine before the drawing," said Duckworth.
"This is what behavioral scientists call a regret lottery."
There is also extra incentive for people who live in zip codes from under-vaccinated areas. Half of the winners are chosen from one of those zip codes.
Duckworth said it was too early to tell if the sweepstakes is changing behavior.
Salim, a woman waiting at the sandwich shop next door, was skeptical.
"I’m going to see how many people get it before I get vaccinated," said Salim, who lives in the zip code for the next drawing, 19133 in Kensington.
"That money doesn’t make me want to get vaccinated, so no."
More than 880,000 Philadelphians, about 71% of the city's adults, have received at least one dose.
Health officials say the 29% of adults who haven’t gotten the vaccine yet are the hardest to reach. Penn has promised a scientific analysis of whether the sweepstakes helps.
What will Silva, someone who is not a gambler, be doing after winning the sweepstakes?
"We're going to Las Vegas, not to gamble."
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