Dale Stocky celebrates his 75th birthday by getting the COVID-19 vaccination he'd newly become eligible for at a Mad River Community Hospital vaccine clinic Jan. 23 at Pacific Union Elementary School. Credit: File

California officials today announced a new incentive program to get residents vaccinated — the chance for those 12 and up who have received at least one dose to win a grand prize of $1.5 million or cash prizes of $50,000.

Ten winners will be selected on June 15 to receive $1.5 million each for a grand total of $15 million, the largest offering of any state to date. Two other drawings for $50,000 will take place June 4 and June 11, with a total of 30 winners.

Those who have received a shot will be automatically entered to win, according to the state’s COVID website. (Click here for a rundown on how it will work.)

For those not yet vaccinated, there’s still time to get in the prize pool and also become eligible for a $50 gift card prize for getting the shot. Starting today, the first 2 million Californians residents “to start and complete” their COVID-19 vaccination are eligible to receive one of the following:

  • A $50 virtual card (which can be spent online, in-store where major debit cards are accepted, or added to a mobile wallet to be used to shop in-stores that accept mobile wallets),
  • Or a $50 grocery gift card from Kroger (which includes Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Foods Co.),
  • Or a $50 grocery gift card from Albertsons (which includes Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Andronico’s Community Markets).

Find more information on the incentives program and how to get vaccinated here.

Kimberly Wear is the assistant editor of the North Coast Journal.

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