(Photo: AHS)

By Chris Brown

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Alberta to share details for COVID vaccine lottery

Jun 14, 2021 | 10:41 AM

Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta’s vaccine lottery is a creative way to encourage Albertans who haven’t yet been vaccinated to take the plunge.

Three prizes of $1 million will be awarded.

“Starting today, anyone 18 years and older who has received a first dose of vaccine at any point since we started administering them last year … is eligible to enter the lottery,” he said Monday afternoon.

Registration is open now at alberta.ca/lottery.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro called the lottery an investment in Albertans and Alberta’s future.

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“We need to beat the virus once and for all,” he said, noting the program is being instituted to ensure widespread immunity and it benefits every Albertan.

Kenney said registrations for the first draw will close a week after the province reaches the 70 per cent vaccination threshold to move to Stage 3 of the Open for Summer plan. He said that’s likely to be about a week and a half from now.

The winner of the first draw will be announced on the first day of Stage 3.

Draws are also to be held and the winner announced August 31 and Sept. 30 for people who are fully vaccinated. The deadline for registration is one week before each. More prizes will also be announced in the days to come, the premier said.

Shandro said incentive programs are being explored for Albertans 12-17 years old.

Proof of vaccination is not needed to enter the draw, but it is required to claim the prize.

Only one registration is needed to be qualified for all three draws.

Kenney said there’s been a dropoff in the past 10 days of first doses administered and bookings being made.

He acknowledges there are some who will never get a vaccine of any kind.

“But we also know there are lots of people who want to get vaccinated or are thinking hard about it but they just haven’t taken the plunge yet,” Kenney said. He added polling indicates about 85 per cent of Albertans are open to getting vaccinated.

As of Sunday night, 68.7 per cent of Albertans 12 years of age and up have received at least one dose, Kenney said.

“When we hit that 70 per cent number, that’s when we’ll be fully open,” said Kenney.

“We really need to push hard to encourage the 15 per cent who want to get vaccinated or are open to it but have not yet gotten around to it.”

With Canada Day approaching, Kenney said the clock is ticking on having a fully “back-to-normal” July 1, and for that to happen the province needs to hit the 70 per cent threshold no later than Thursday, June 16. Another 48,361 Albertans need to get their first dose to reach the mark.

Vaccine lotteries have been announced in Manitoba, Ohio, California and more.

(CHAT News Today)