In early Ohio Vax-a-Million designs, Abbigail Bugenske of Silverton in Hamilton County won a million dollar cash prize and Joseph Costello from Englewood in Montgomery County will receive a scholarship to full university studies.

Wednesday marked the first of five draws to be held on consecutive Wednesdays.

About 2.75 million adults entered the Ohio Vax-a-Million raffle. Another 104,386 students aged 12 to 17 entered the competition for five full university scholarships.

The Ohio Lottery held the raffle on Monday in Cleveland and state officials have had two days to verify the winner meets eligibility rules and has had at least their first COVID-shot. 19. The winners were announced on live television on Wednesday.

One entry is valid for all five drawings, and the next drawing will include people who register for www.ohiovaxamillion.com before 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Participants must be residents of Ohio who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

When was the lottery announced?

DeWine announced on May 12 that Ohio would use federal money from the CARES Act to fund five million dollar prizes and five full college scholarships to rekindle interest in COVID vaccinations. 19.

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Did the lottery result in additional Ohio COVID-19 vaccinations?

DeWine said the program exceeded his wildest expectations. The Ohio Department of Health said the program caused an increase in vaccinations in almost all age groups after weeks of leaked interest.

Vaccinations for people aged 16 and over increased by 40% within seven days of DeWine’s announcement, USA Today Network Ohio analysis found.

Other state and cities have expressed interest by copying the idea of ​​DeWine.