Don't miss out! How to enter million-dollar Vax Lottery
Image: 7 News
Aussies looking to win a million dollars at the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Million Dollar Vax campaign have until October 31st to receive their first or second dose.
Most Australians will be eligible for an entry into the lottery after the national vaccine rate for over 16s on Friday increased to 76.2%.
The campaign will give away $4.1 million worth of prizes, with the big ticket item of $1 million in cash drawn on the 5th of November.
Funded by philanthropists and corporations, the campaign aims to boost national vaccination rates above 80%, a key reopening target under the national plan.
But Craig Winkler of Million Dollar Vax Alliance says it is not designed to convince vaccine hesitant Australians to get the jab.
“That’s a decision you should make in consultation with a health professional,” he said in a statement earlier in October.
“The promotion simply seeks to reward people who decide to vaccinated now rather than waiting, so that we can reduce the community impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The faster we reach higher vaccination rates nationally, higher than 80% the sooner we can all safely resume our full range of community and business activity.”
“The promotion simply seeks to reward people who decide to be vaccinated now rather than waiting.”
Australia’s vaccination rates have soared in recent months as supply issues eased.
The federal government had been considering incentives to encourage people to get the jab before lockdown-inducing outbreaks of the highly infectious Delta variant in NSW and Victoria.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has endorsed the concept after his state announced a mandate for more than a million authorised workers.
“It’s great. I’m not fussed on what motivates you, whether it is for your health or to help the people you love, to protect our health system and our nurses, or to win $1 million,” he told reporters earlier in October.
“Just go get vaccinated. That is what I am asking because it is our way out of this.”
The initiative is inspired by the Ohio ‘Vax-A-Million’ campaign in the US.
All Australian adults are eligible to enter the competition online, as long as they’ve had their first dose on or before October 31. Prizes will only be dished out to those who are fully vaccinated by the 13th of December, six weeks after cut-off date.
Vaccinated Australian’s over 18 who have been or will be vaccinated can enter here.