Washington Governor Jay Inslee (pictured) announced on Thursday that a Covid vaccine lottery will be launched for Military personnel and their families.
This comes after fears emerged that this group had been left out of the previously announced vaccine lottery, as the federal government hasn’t shared the vaccination status of the group.
A spokesman for Inslee noted that the department of defense will play an active role in circulating a vaccination form for military members to fill. Beginning on July 20 and taking place over the following three weeks, two prizes of $100,000 will be given and one of $250,000. Furthermore, $250 Amazon gift cards will be available to win.
The previously announced lottery for the general public began last week and has had two $250,000 prize draws already. College tuition, flights and games consoles have also been made available.
On July 13 the final draw will take place, with the prize set at $1m.
Washington is not the first state to announce a Covid lottery but is the first with a lottery focused directly on military personnel and their families.
National guard members and veterans will not have to sign up for the lottery as the department for veteran affairs and the National guard have agreed to assign their members with random numbers that they have connected to vaccination records.
“I’m really happy to say we have found a way to honor our active military duty and our veterans in this regard,” said Governor Inslee on the decision to launch a lottery specific to military personnel and their families.
He went on to announce that an emergency order had been issued by insurance commissioner Mike Kreidler, allowing medical providers to bill insurance companies for actively contacting those who are yet to receive their vaccine.
Furthermore it was announced that should 70% of the state’s residents receive their vaccine, restrictions will be lifted on June 30.
