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West Virginia is giving its vaccine incentive program a boost to get more residents immunized from the coronavirus, Gov. Jim Justice 

All residents who get a COVID-19 vaccine will be enrolled in the chance to win a college scholarship, a tricked out truck, or hunting rifles, in addition to a $1.588 million grand prize. The program, which will run from June 20 through Aug. 4, will be paid for through federal pandemic relief funds.

"The faster we get people across the finish line the more lives we save. That's all there is to it," Justice said. "If the tab just keeps running the cost is enormous. The hospitalizations are enormous. We have to get all of our folks across the finish line."

Justice announced in April that West Virginians ages 16 to 35 who got vaccinated could get a $100 savings bond. The immunization drive in the state

has since drastically slowed after showing a strong early start.

state reports 51.1 percent of the state population

 has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Justice hopes the state's new offers of a $588,000 second prize, weekend vacations to state parks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, and custom hunting shotguns will boost that number.

West Virginians who have been fully vaccinated will need to register to be entered to win the newly announced prizes at a later date.

The vaccine incentive scheme has taken off across the nation as governors attempt to entice residents who may be reluctant, into getting immunized from the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported as of Tuesday night 

President Biden is aiming to get at least 70 percent

 of the U.S. adult population to have one vaccine shot and 160 million adults to be fully vaccinated by July 4.

Ohio, one of the first states to adopt a lottery campaign for vaccinated adults, reported an uptick in administered vaccines following the announcement. The week 

, vaccinations soared 55 percent for residents ages 20 to 49. For those in the 16 to 17 age group, saw a 94 percent jump

, have announced similar incentive programs since.  

Health

COVID-19

Jaclyn Diaz

Author

Several states, including Ohio, California, Colorado and Maryland, have created vaccination incentive programs to get more teens and adults fully immunized from the coronavirus.

Guns, trucks and trips: West Virginia expands prizes for vaccinated residents

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