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WKSU, our public radio partners in Ohio and across the region and NPR are all continuing to work on stories on the latest developments with the coronavirus and COVID-19 so that we can keep you informed.

First Ohio Vaccine Lottery Winner to be Announced Tonight

a photo of a shot being prepared
Dan Konik
/
Statehouse News Bureau
More than 2 million Ohioans have entered the vax-a-million lottery.

After drawing the name two days ago, Ohio will announce the winner of the state's first vaccine lottery tonight at 7:29pm. Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) says the million-dollar sweepstakes has proven to be a big success.

In the two weeks since announcing the vaccine lottery, 261,742 more people have received the COVID-19 shot. That's a 26% increase in vaccinations compared to the two weeks leading up to the announcement. And more than 2.7 million people have entered their names into the drawing.

DeWine says he wanted the "Ohio Vax-A-Million" lottery to create new incentive for people to get the vaccine, and that it's surpassed his expectations.

Meanwhile, there's a push to stop the lottery through a bill in the Ohio House and a lawsuit filed in the Ohio Supreme Court by an anti-vaccination group.

But the sweepstakes is set to continue. A name has already been drawn with the auditor's office witnessing the process.

The state will also announce the winner of the college scholarship among the drawing of entrants between the ages of 12-17.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Andy Chow
Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.