Gov. Baker offering $1 million vaccination giveaway

BOSTON — Baker-Polito Administration announced on Tuesday a chance for residents to win a $1 million cash prize or a college scholarship in a new effort to encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

This latest initiative happened on the same day that Massachusetts’s State of Emergency, which continued for a total of 462 days, was lifted.

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Massachusetts residents 18 years or older who have received both doses of Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will have the chance to win the prize by entering their information online.

Fully vaccinated residents between 12 to 17 years of age can enter for a chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants via a 529 College Savings Plan managed by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority.

Even if you got vaccinated months ago you can still win -- but there are some requirements to enter. To enter and win you have to be a Massachusetts resident, vaccinated in Massachusetts and be at least 12-years-old.

When a person wins -- they will be contacted to verify all the conditions are met.

Health & Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders explained the process Tuesday.

“You will indicate that we can contact you for verification purposes but not just your CDC card but other information so we can validate that you received your two doses in Massachusetts,” Sudders said.

Gov. Baker announced the launch of the giveaway as one of many strategies to increase awareness of the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage residents to get vaccinated.

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“The Commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinating our residents, with almost four million people fully vaccinated, and our goal remains to ensure everyone that wants a vaccine has to access to one,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The VaxMillions Giveaway is one of the many ways our administration is encouraging people to get the vaccine, and we are grateful for the partnership of Treasurer Goldberg and the Mass State Lottery in developing the program.”

The giveaway begins July 1 and will end on August 20 at 11:59 p.m. Eligible residents will only be able to enter one time during this period.

Drawings for the giveaway will be held once a week for five weeks, beginning the week of Monday, July 26, and continue until Friday, August 27. Entries submitted before the deadline for early drawings will qualify for all later drawings.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are hopeful that this new initiative will encourage even more residents to get the COVID vaccine and help return our Commonwealth to a new normal.”

Residents interested in entering the giveaway will have to visit the state’s website and enter additional details to sign up.

Those who don’t have access to the internet or require assistance will be able to have access to a call center. Sign-up information and call center contact info and hours will be made available before July 1.

There are over 900 vaccination locations across the Commonwealth, with appointments and walk-ins widely available. Residents seeking a vaccine can visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to find a vaccine location.

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