First winner of million-dollar vaccination lotto
In the US state of Ohio, first, you get a COVID-19 shot, then you get a shot at US$1 million ($1.29 million).
And then, if you're 22-year-old Abbigal Bugenske, you scream so loudly your parents think you're crying when you find out you're the state's first Vax-a-Millionaire.
The mechanical engineer was driving to her family's home in suburban Cleveland when she took a call about the good news from state Governor Mike DeWine.
A short moment later she was at her parents' house screaming.
She described becoming the first winner of Ohio's $1 million Vax-a-Million incentive prize as "a whirlwind" during a news conference on Thursday morning (Friday morning AEST).
"It absolutely has not processed yet. I am still digesting it — and I like to say that it feels like this is happening to a different person. I cannot believe it."
The 2020 Michigan State University graduate hopes to donate to charities and purchase a car, but then invest most of the money and has no plans to quit her job.
Mr DeWine, a Republican, announced the program on May 12 to boost lagging vaccination rates.
"I know that some may say, 'DeWine, you're crazy! This million-dollar drawing idea of yours is a waste of money,'" the governor said when he announced the incentive.
But with the vaccine now readily available, the real waste, "is a life lost to COVID-19," the Governor said.