FARMINGTON – In just over a week, the Vax 2 the Max sweepstakes has attracted more than 370,000 vaccinated New Mexicans and either “flattened” or improved a downward trend in COVID-19 vaccination registration, according to the state’s Department of Health.
The statewide incentive will give away $10 million in prize money, along with other prizes and awards, during the summer, according to a news release from the Department of Health.
The state is separated into four health regions. Each week, one winner will be chosen from each region to receive $250,000 cash, for a total of $1 million per week.
Some of the other prizes include the opportunity to win one of 18 in-state “staycation” travel packages that include four-night accommodations and gift cards to local businesses in that area. Fishing and hunting licenses will also be some of the prizes awarded, as are annual passes to New Mexico State Parks and day passes for museums and cultural sites.
At the end of the sweepstakes, in early August, one winner from the entire state pool of those vaccinated will win a grand prize of $5 million.
New Mexico Lottery prize wheels will be set up randomly throughout the state, including an appearance Saturday at the Farmington Recreation Center. New Mexicans receiving their vaccine can spin the wheel for a chance to win up to 20 lottery scratch-off tickets.
Since the announcement of the giveaways, a total of 372,774 eligible people registered for the sweepstakes. To be eligible, people must be 18 or older, a resident of New Mexico and have had the vaccine.
The week before the launch of the sweepstakes, the seven-day average of new vaccination registrations was 1,352 per day. The week the sweepstakes was announced, that number jumped to 1,437, which the Department of Health suggests is because of the Vax 2 the Max sweepstakes.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health COVID Dashboard, almost 960,000 people are eligible to enter the sweepstakes.
According to a news release, two weeks after 60% of New Mexicans have been vaccinated, COVID-19 restrictions on commercial and day-to-day activities will be dropped.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com
