Parson creates incentive for vaccinations

Missouri residents who have not already been vaccinated against COVID-19 now have 10,000 reasons to do so. Gov. Mike Parson announced the start of a new incentive program, called “MO VIP,” on Wednesday, July 21, in which Missourians who have received the vaccine can enter a drawing for $10,000. Between Aug. 13 and Oct. 8, hundreds of Show-Me State residents will have their names drawn for either a $10,000 cash prize or a $10,000 education savings account.
Parson said the new incentive program would “complement” the state’s efforts to get all Missouri residents vaccinated.
“We understand that some Missourians are hesitant towards getting the vaccine, but we must all take personal responsibility and do right by our own health and that of our friends and family by getting vaccinated," Gov. Parson stated at the press conference during which he announced the creation of MO VIP. "This new program will complement our existing efforts to educate Missourians about the importance of getting the vaccine. Our current COVID-19 situation is serious. This Delta variant transmits faster than what we have previously seen and is more likely to impact children and the unvaccinated, so now is the perfect opportunity to get vaccinated and earn your shot at $10,000."

How it will work:
The drawing is open to all living United States citizens who are permanent residents of Missouri, with some exceptions, who are at least 12 years old and have received at least the first of two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Entrants will be divided into three categories:
- Red: Missourians 18 and up who received their vaccinations after July 21.
- White: Missourians 18 and up who received their vaccinations before July 21.
- Blue: Missourians between the ages of 12 and 17 who have received their vaccinations at any time.

Winners randomly selected
Starting on Aug. 13, there will be 80 winners randomly selected from each of the Red and White categories, 10 from each congressional district, while 20 winners will be selected from the Blue category, for a total of 180 names drawn. Each person in the Red and White categories whose name is drawn will receive a $10,000 cash prize, while each person whose name is drawn in the Blue category will receive a $10,000 education savings account through the Missouri State Treasurer’s MOST 529 program. There will be a total of five drawings, with the last taking place on Oct. 8, for a total of 900 winners.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the following people are ineligible to participate in the incentive program: the Governor and First Lady, individuals currently incarcerated on the basis of a felony conviction, statewide elected officials, members of the U.S. Congress and Missouri General Assembly, appointees of Governor Mike Parson, employees of the Office of Governor Mike Parson, the Office of the Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri Lottery, and the Office of Administration. Members of ineligible individual’s households are also ineligible to participate.

How to enter:
To enter the drawing, go online to the contest entry webpage at www.covidvaccine.mo.gov/win, or call (877) 435-8411. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 11 online or until 7:29 p.m. by phone; only one entry per person.
The drawing will take place on Aug. 13. Those whose names are drawn will have their vaccinations confirmed, and the names of the confirmed winners will be announced on Aug. 25. The names of those not drawn will automatically move over into the second drawing. The other drawings will take place on Aug. 27, Sept. 10, Sept. Sept. 24 and Oct. 8. Entries will be accepted until two days before each drawing. Those who have already entered one drawing do not need to enter again.
For more information, go online to www.covidvaccine.mo.gov/win or call (877) 435-8411.