FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 8, 2021
Contact:   Ohio Department of Health Office of Communications 614-644-8562
Ohio Lottery 216-774-5685

Ohio Vax-2-School scholarship drawing offers added incentive to choose to vaccinate

Vaccinated Ohioans ages 12-25 can enter to win $10,000 or $100,000 scholarships

COLUMBUS – Vaccines remain the best protection against the serious outcomes from COVID-19 impacting Ohioans of all ages. To date, more than 63% of eligible Ohioans, or more than 6.3 million people, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Among Ohio’s youngest eligible residents, more than 375,000 Ohioans ages 12-17 – about 42% of Ohioans in that age group – have started the vaccination process.

An added incentive for Ohio youth and young adults age 25 and younger launched this week. The Ohio Vax-2-School incentive program offers a chance to win one of 150 $10,000 scholarships or one of five $100,000 grand-prize scholarships. The 155 winners will be able to use the scholarships for their education at an Ohio college, university, technical or trade school, or career program of their choice.

The Ohio Vax-2-School portal at www.ohiovax2school.com opened on Oct. 4 and remains open for registration. Any Ohioan in the eligible age group, currently 12-25, can choose to enter after receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This applies to vaccinations received at any point since the COVID-19 vaccines have been available.

“We are hopeful this scholarship program will help lead to an increase in vaccinations for Ohio’s adolescents and young adults, and help ensure our youngest Ohioans are protected against COVID-19, which continues to threaten the health and safety of all Ohioans,” Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, said. “For parents of adolescents ages 12 to 17, now is the time to talk to your pediatrician or pharmacist to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines.”

Ohio’s more than 3,600 enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers are offering vaccinations to eligible Ohioans. There are many opportunities in Ohio to be vaccinated, including at pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, doctor’s offices, community vaccination sites, community events, and local health departments. Ohioans can visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to find a vaccine provider near them or check with their local health departments for special vaccination opportunities.

VAX-2-SCHOOL: Summary

• PRIZES: Ohio Vax-2-School will award a total of $2 million in scholarships to 155 individuals. The scholarships, which will be awarded in Ohio 529 College Advantage plans, can be used at the Ohio college, university, technical/trade school, or career program of the winner’s choice.
   
• ELIGIBILITY: Ohio Vax-2-School is an opt-in program, meaning that you must enter to be eligible for the prize drawings. Ohioans ages 12-25 who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are currently eligible. The state hopes to expand the age group to include Ohioans as young as 5 years old, pending an emergency use authorization (EUA) being granted for administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11.
   
• HOW TO ENTER: Eligible Ohioans can enter using the online portal or by phone at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). Entering using the Vax-2-School online portal is quicker. The odds of winning one of the scholarships is the same for those registering online or by calling.
   
• DEADLINE TO ENTER: A deadline to enter has not yet been announced. The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Lottery Commission will share those details in the weeks ahead, allowing as much time as possible for an EUA to be granted for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for youth ages 5-11.
   
• VERIFICATION: Vaccination records will be verified for winners. If you are an Ohio resident who was vaccinated in another state, you are eligible, but will need to present proof of vaccination.
   
• WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS: The dates of the scholarship drawings, and when the winners will be announced, have yet to be determined. This information will be shared after the final entry deadline is announced.

The Ohio Department of Health is using a portion of its Coronavirus Relief Funds for this innovative public outreach campaign and initiative. For more information about safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations, please visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine.

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