Sunday was the last day to get your COVID-19 vaccine shot and be eligible for Wednesday’s first drawing in North Carolina’s $4 Million Summer Cash and College Tuition drawings.
The drawings were announced earlier this month by Governor Roy Cooper to motivate people to get vaccinated as soon as they can — and thank those who already have.
But if you went to Virginia or another state, or to a military facility to get your coronavirus vaccine you are out of luck.
“Anyone who is a North Carolina resident, and received either their first dose or a single-dose vaccine in the State of North Carolina, and is not subject to other exclusions may participate in the Summer Cash Drawing program,” said N.C. Department of Health and Human Services communications specialist Bailey Pennington.
Officials have not exactly said why getting the shots out-of-state will not make you eligible. Only those who have information entered into North Carolina’s COVID Vaccine Management System, known as CVMS can win.
According to the rules of the contest, you must be a resident of North Carolina and “have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a site located in the state of North Carolina that is documented by a vaccine provider by midnight on the Sunday prior to the drawing.”
NCDHHS is not able to access data for people who were vaccinated at locations operated by the Department of Defense. Therefore, these persons are ineligible for the drawing.
On Thursday, the state announced North Carolinians vaccinated by the Veterans Administration (VA) and through the Tribal Health Program are now eligible for drawings.
Four vaccinated North Carolinians 18 and older will win $1 million each and four North Carolinians ages 12 to 17 will win tuition for post-secondary education. The first drawings occur Wednesday, June 23. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, June 20. Anyone who gets vaccinated now will be entered twice, increasing their chances to win.
North Carolinians 18 and older who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are automatically entered into four drawings for a chance to win a $1 million cash prize.
Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are automatically entered into four drawings to win $125,000 towards post-secondary education. The $125,000 can be used at any post-secondary institution and is awarded in the form of a NC 529 account.
The $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College Drawings will run June 23–Aug. 4. Drawings will take place every other week on Wednesdays starting June 23. New entries will close at midnight on the Sunday prior to the Wednesday drawing. Winners will be verified and then announced.
The state health department said there is even more urgency to get vaccinated now as the new and more dangerous Delta variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the Delta variant as a “variant of concern” because it spreads faster than current COVID-19 variants.
Early studies from the United Kingdom have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in people infected with the Delta variant. The currently available COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection against the virus and its variants.
Learn more about the $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College Drawings at SummerVaxCash.com. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov or dial 1- 888-675-4567.