Michigan to offer cash and scholarship incentives to those getting COVID vaccine

The US state of Michigan will be offering incentives to its residents for getting vaccinated against COVID-19, according to statements given by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday.

In order to encourage more people to vaccinated and increase the inoculation rate of Michigan, about $5 million in cash will be offered, in addition to college scholarships.

The recipients of the incentives would be decided through lottery-style drawings, according to reports from Associated Press.

Also Read: Ohio sees high vaccination rate after it offers $1 million in lottery prize

To be eligible for the prizes associated with vaccine rollout, the residents of the state need to be inoculated with at least one shot of the multiple vaccines available in the United States. Only those who are above the age of 18 are eligible for cash prizes.

The incentive programme includes a jackpot prize of $2 million and $1 million and daily prizes worth $50,000. On the other hand, those who are between the ages of 12 and 17 will be eligible for winning a four year prepaid tuition contract, which is worth $55,000, according to Associated Press.

Whitmer said in a media briefing on Thursday, “It’s an exciting opportunity for so many people in our state to do what they need to do to protect themselves and our communities but also get an opportunity to win a big prize”, reported Associated Press.

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Director of the ‘Protect Michigan Commission, an organisation advocating for a smooth COVID vaccine rollout, Kerry Ebersole Singh said that such schemes are showing promising results in other US states.

Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield Dr James Grant, in an attempt to encourage people to vaccinated, said, “It’s the best defense, the best line against COVID-19. Herd immunity has been effective against measles, mumps, polio, chickenpox amongst so many other infectious diseases. We just have to get to that point now with COVID”, reported Associated Press.