Vaccinated Californians will have a chance to win part of $16.5 million in cash prizes next month as state officials attempt to incentivize more residents to get their first shot, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
Starting Thursday, all Californians who get their first vaccine dose in the coming days will receive one of 2 million $50 gift cards on a first-come, first-served basis through the state’s Vax for the Win program.
For all state residents who get vaccinated or have already been vaccinated, the state will hold drawings on June 4 and 11 to select a total of 30 residents to receive $50,000 cash prizes.
On June 15, the state will hold a final drawing, in which state residents that have received at least one vaccine dose will be eligible for one of 10 $1.5 million cash prizes.
Newsom touted that California now has the lowest COVID-19 test positivity and case rate of any state in the country, due in large part to the state administering at least one dose to 21.4 million state residents.
“We are well on our way of not only reach that 70 percent (vaccinated) number that President Biden has advanced, but we’re on the way of doing that well before that Fourth of July date that he has set,” Newsom said Thursday at a briefing on the lottery-esque incentives.
“That said, we have seen a reduction in the number of people looking to get access to this vaccine,” he added.
In the last week, vaccines have been administered to some 1.9 million people across the state, down from the nearly 3 million people that were getting vaccinated per week at the peak of the state’s vaccination efforts.
Newsom added that a significant portion of those 1.9 million doses is also the second vaccination in a two-shot series, further reducing the true number of residents that are seeking out their first vaccine dose.
“You can see that cliff coming in the next week or two,” the governor said.
Newsom added that the state’s drop off has not yet been as steep as some other states that have begun offering incentives like cash prize drawings, free hunting licenses and vouchers for retail stores and restaurants in an effort to get more people vaccinated.
California’s drawings and cash prizes – which Newsom made a point to note are not related to the California State Lottery – will be open to nearly all residents, regardless of immigration status, provided they are age 12 or older and that they complete their vaccination series.
A handful of demographics will not be included in the drawings, including people incarcerated within the state’s prison system, people who got vaccinated in the state but are not current residents and people who work at the highest levels of state government “like me,” Newsom said.
Should a minor win one of the cash prizes, the state plans to hold their winnings in a savings account until they turn 18.
In addition, the $50 gift cards – which can be accepted as a general prepaid Mastercard or a gift card to grocery store chains owned by Kroger or Albertsons – will only be disbursed once an awardee has completed their two-dose Pfizer or Modern vaccine series or single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Gift cards will be reserved for those who get their first dose starting Thursday, according to state officials. Awardees will receive a gift card code via text message or email 7-10 days after their final vaccine dose.
Residents who don’t have a mobile phone, email address or permanent residence can contact (833) 993-3873, 7-10 days after their final dose, to request a physical gift card or coordinate delivery.
For the larger cash prizes, all residents who have been vaccinated will be automatically entered into the drawings, Newsom said.
Winners will also be kept anonymous unless they allow their names to become public, according to Newsom.
“These are an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to those not only seeking to get vaccinated as we move forward but also those who have been vaccinated since we first availed those opportunities a number of months ago,” Newsom said.
I already got my vaccination Gav. Where is my money?
I’ll second that!
So people who got a vaccine in CA, but don’t live in CA are in the drawing? Then it’s not an incentive for Californians, but anybody who vaccinates in CA. I am not sure what to think about it. I also am not sure we have 24MM residents vaccinated since we have roughly 37MM in the state
handful of demographics will not be included in the drawings, including people incarcerated within the state’s prison system, people who got vaccinated in the state but are not current residents.
No, people who are not CA residents are not eligible.
Straight up pathetic!?! bribing people top get vaccinated.
What a complete waste of taxpayers money! Our government at work! Meanwhile our roads and bridges fall apart. What a about the states pension liability???
It’s so good they have to pay people to take it.
That’s the American way.
The problem are antivax yoga pants hippies and right wing nut conspiracy theorist. However, throw some cash and the stupid at least comply.
Pyrrhus
So let me get this right. You are calling Blacks, Native Americans and Pacific Islands stupid since these groups are the least vaccinated in California?
If this doesn’t set off every red flag in your brain, you have no brain.
What a delightful way to manage taxpayer money.
what a joke, on the tax payers of this state
#RecallGavinNewsom
@remember
That recall can’t happen fast enough.
I’m a firm believer in some conspiracy theories, but this is TOO far. Seriously?!
Where exactly are they getting the money for this?
Taxation is theft.
Does Newsom really believe the folks who don’t want the vaccine can be bribed with a measly $50? He’s been giving a lot more than $50 to illegals in this state in the form of benefits and cash, and he thinks so little of legal Californians that he’s offering $50. How insulting!!!
I’m not anti vaxxer, I get the flu shot every year and I’ve been vaccinated for just about everything else. I’m not about to have something jabbed into my arm when nobody has the slightest idea of it’s long term effects.
Lately I’ve been getting e-mail offers to take a survey. They offer money to anybody who has not had the COVID-19 vaccine and takes the survey. Of course in order to get the money, I would have to give them my name and address. Naturally I delete it. I see what they are doing, they want to know who we are and want to keep track of us. I’m sure it will go straight into a government data base and I DO NOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT.
Don’t touch your face and wash your hands.
Fauci is an ostentatious quack.
I’ve never done the flu vaccine and haven’t had the flu in possibly 30 years. I no longer get colds either. The way I see it most of the country got exposed to “Covid-19” last year and for the majority it came and went went no symptoms or they blasted it their usual cold treatment.
Friends who got the vaccine and had a reaction were told the reaction was due to already having had the virus. Seems then what we need is a real test that the antibodies already exist in our system and our immune system knows how to deal with it. That would mean no vaccine needed but of course Big Pharma would cry if that were so.
You’re worried about long-term effects of the Covid vaccines. But what do you know about the possible long-term effects of the virus, one that we’ve known about for all of a year and a half?
BTW, I just read where an anti-body test now exists as simple as taking a prick of blood like one does these days for diabetes. The objective for the company is to make it over-the-counter. From USA Today:
https://bit.ly/3c16vi0
“But what do you know about the possible long-term effects of the virus, one that we’ve known about for all of a year and a half?”
So what makes one unknown more favorable than the other?
@Observer—Your are correct that we don’t know the long term effects of COVID, but if I get the vaccine I will have no choice but to endure the long term effects if there are any. With COVID, as with any communicable disease, I have the ability to protect myself, this is one reason I never get sick, not even a cold. I am a retired RN and I have been around a lot of sick people, I know how to prevent cross contamination and the importance of washing my hands before ever touching my face. A virus enters the body through the mucus membranes, that will be the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears.
I’m not saying I will never get the vaccine. They are still working on it and it will be improved. One day they will come up with a vaccine that will be shown to be safe and approved by the FDA, until that happens, I don’t mind waiting.
My friend did a FB post of her arm holding a magnet having her injection and then put the same sign on her daughter’s arm and it fell, interesting to say the least.
Somebody needs to stop this man.
This is a new low.
Treating adults like little children. Instead of a lollipop a gift card. This is amazingly condescending.
Remember the John Wayne movie where the cowboy tosses a coin into the spittoon and Dean Martin almost fishes it out? This look quite similar.
If you want to give poor people money fine, but don’t make them dance. Recall Newsom, he is devoid of empathic skill.
Lottery open to illegals and even kids as young as 12…It certainly is proving true that America’s streets are lined with gold.
Sets a wrong precedent to offer prizes to do the right thing by getting the vaccine shots. State thinks my tax money grows on a tree.
What about the ones who already did the correct thing by getting their shots?
Next thing will be prizes for not committing crimes. Wait, think they’re already trying that!
“What about the ones who already did the correct thing by getting their shots?”
Hope you enjoy the moral high ground that nobody granted to you.
How about giving money to those business you helped temporarily shut down this past year or have been permanently out of business? You are a joke of a governor even though you will survive this recall, but 2022 will be a different story for re-election
1. The needle used to inject a microchip is much, much larger than a normal needle used for vaccines. It would be impossible to hide the size.
2. What are “magnetic sensations”? Most people (myself included) say they feel and initial tingle in the arm followed by soreness.
3. Boogeyman Bill Gates and the government could already easily track you if they wanted too thanks to that phone you carry with you everywhere.
4. The government isn’t tracking your every move, you’re not that interesting.
5. Please stop spreading misinformation. It leads our most gullible population to infect and harm our most fragile population.
Some of us jump through hoops to get ours early and responsibly. Now this makes me wonder about everything like some posters above have mentioned.
While I respect people that don’t want the vaccination, I think a lot of this is about the dysfunctional people and the poor end -who are always moaning about their lot in life-.. not getting the vaccination because it’s lazy now get money.
I think it pays to be lazy and dysfunctional in the American system now. You get all kinds of freebies and you’re never held to accountability, and you even get away with crime.
Sadly, this is what happens when we villainize the educated and say that everyone’s opinion is equal no matter how misinformed they are. We have also made COVID, masks, and vaccination a political issue thanks to the past administration so what did we expect? It’s a miracle that our state is even as far along with vaccination as it is. Just be glad that we are actually opening up and won’t have to shut down again like other states.
@Pyrrhus
You’re right, Pyrrhus. It is a miracle that our state is even as far along with vaccination as it is, especially since that giggling v.p. nominee shouted to the world that she would never get the vaccine if Donald Trump recommended it. And you blame the last admin for making this political? Surely you jest. I know, I know, don’t call you Shirley.
Pyrrhus–I was agreeing with you until I saw you blame Trump for making it political. In my humble opinion it seems more like it was the media that made it political.
@Dawg: Leftists like Pyrrhus will be milking the fallacy “orange man bad” for many years to come. It’s the natural tendency for those who innately blame others rather than take responsibility themselves.
Something so scary and deadly that we need to bribe people to take a shot for huh? Makes total sense to me!
You cannot give it away at no cost to the consumer at time of injection(s) so now the government is trying to bribe people as if it were a slot machine in Las Vegas.
What does that say about the value of the vaccine to the 44% of Californians not vaccinated yet? Might the question, “if it is really good for me, why is the government trying to bribe me to take it” come up?
Equity. Why should the people who have already taken the vaccine be excluded from free taxpayer’s monies? Which leads to what happens the next time the Government wants the populous to do something. Should I do it now even though it might be in my best interests or should I wait for a chance to make some bribe money?
Isn’t there at least a hit of low expectations racism in this plan since according to one survey I read, Blacks were only 26% likely to receive the vaccination followed by 38% of Latinos?
Whatever it takes or B.A.M.N. can have long-term unintended consequences.
Jimmy Bob,,,,,, Come on down, your the next contestant on the
Shot is Right ! ahhh the brain serum mixed with 5 g technology. Dr, J Bar Sinisters plan is right on track .” I will have total mind control very soon ! moo ha ha ha. in Dr.Evils laugh. Help Underdog !
Another example of how this vaccine isn’t “free”. Rather it is paid for by the tax payers. And if you don’t think these gifts and bribes are not going to be misappropriated, you better think again.
And given that democrats make up most of the population, it stands to reason that Newscum is paying off the democrats.
@Janus
Good post.
The state is falling apart and yet there is all this money to give away. Why not give it back to the tax payers? It is our money. Some people have reasons to not want the vaccine. What if an individual has heart problems, has suffered brain injuries? Too many unknowns. But don’t waste tax payer money!
👍
Another way to look at this is
“Newsom Announces Sweepstakes Where 5 Lucky Winners Get To Move Out Of California!”
He needs to go first!
From a medical/ethical standpoint this concerns me. The vaccines are still experimental and there are some fairly strict guidelines about enrolling people in clinical trials. (Think the Tuskegee syphilis experiments). The government bribing people into basically taking part in a clinical trial (which this is) is quite concerning. People need the freedom to make their own choices without being pressured or bribed.
If the government is successful in bribing people into taking this vaccine, where will they stop?
It’s total bribery!
No vaccine for me I said ! ! !
A few cents won’t change my mind!
If cents won’t change your mind, perhaps non-cents will
I have a better idea what to do with the money. I just called the DMV to speak about a license tag I have yet to receive. Wait time on hold one hour and fifteen minutes. Maybe they could hire more people. Maybe they could all get vaccinated and back to work.
Ridiculous – LOWER OUR TAXES FIRST
At least 10 lucky people will be moving out of California after getting their $1.5 million…
Hold out until the pay you $100 or maybe more.
@ Popcorn-
Sure, whatever it takes. Maybe incarcerate those who don’t want the vaccine? Handcuff them, hold them down, and then inject them? Threaten to kill their pets if they don’t take the jab? Fine them? Work camps for them and their families for three generations? How about we just herd them into the ovens and eliminate the threat?
Whatever it takes…. You are a fool.
Please think before you write these annoyingly stupid comments.
Yes, it’s called the Nuremberg Code – an international set of ethical guidelines for medical treatments – guidelines that are clearly violated by a vaccine mandate.
“Fauci argued in 2012 paper that the benefit of Gain-Of-Function research into bat virus ‘was worth the risk of a pandemic’ ”
Source: https://tinyurl.com/2xhuwu2z
“Anthony Fauci backed virus experiments ‘despite pandemic risk’ ”
Source: https://tinyurl.com/f843knm8
Imagine a vaccine so important and necessary that they have to bribe you to take it.
LOL
…..and a “virus” so deadly – that you need to be tested to know if you have it. Although it travels 6 feet…..they need to swab up your nose to your brain to test for it.
Literally buying votes.
Is that clown for real? Newsom is a parasite. His only concern is holding onto his political power and making himself look good.
i am surprised him and weiner aren’t prostituting themselves on some street corner somewhere
#RecallGavinNewsom
I can’t even believe this is America anymore. The more and more I hear moron politicians, media, and celebrities telling me I need to get this “safe vaccine,” it only confirms my choice to not take it being spot on. To be clear, every vaccine in this country is a choice people and that includes covid vaccine. All you that chose to be a lab rat for big pharma, good for you if you sleep better at night. If the God sent vaccine is so effective, what the hell do you care about those who choose to not take it? According to the “gold standard” political hacks at CDC, that base their Covid guidelines on what the teacher unions approve, if you happen to get covid after you are vaccinated, you will not die and symptoms will be extremely mild. So what the hell do you care? Did any of you pro covid vaxxers actually read the literature regarding the trials on the covid vaccines? Did any of you morons that rushed your 12-15 year olds to the front of the covid vaccine lines actually read the literature regarding the trials conducted on that age group? As an American, I will decide what I will or will not inject in my body and my child’s body. That is my right.