FARMINGTON – The New Mexico Department of Health has announced another incentive for residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
New Mexicans who complete their vaccination series or receive the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccination through Thursday will be eligible to receive $100, the department announced Sunday in a news release.
To get the $100, residents receiving the shot must provide proof of residency in the form of an ID card, pay stub or utility bill as well as a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine card or other proof of vaccination. Once the shot is administered and the person brings proof of residency, he or she will get the $100 on-site or it will be sent to his or her home address.
Even those younger than 18 who get vaccinated can get the $100, but a parent or guardian must be present.
Those who received the vaccine before this week are not eligible.
Matt Bieber, spokesman for the Department of Health, said “those (already vaccinated) folks are still eligible for the (Vax 2 the Max) sweepstakes, including $10 million in cash prizes and other opportunities.”
If 60% of New Mexicans are vaccinated by June 17, the state plans to reopen its economy 100% on July 1.
In the news release, Dr. Tracie Collins, Cabinet secretary with the Department of Health, said: “New Mexico is so close to hitting our June 17 goal: 60% of New Mexicans 16 and over who have completed their vaccination series. We are excited to offer this additional incentive to get us over the finish line – and to reopen our state by July 1.”
As of this week, San Juan County, along with other counties in New Mexico, are in the Turquoise Level. Under the Turquoise Level, essential businesses have no capacity restrictions; essential retail is limited to 75% capacity; food and drink businesses, if NM Safe Certified, can operate at 75%; all other business can operate at 75% capacity; entertainment venues are at 33% capacity indoors and 75% outdoors; recreational facilities are at 50% indoors and 75% outdoors; bars and clubs at 33% indoors and 75% outdoors; houses of worship can operate at 100% capacity indoors if they so choose; and mass gatherings are limited to 150 people.
As of Saturday afternoon, New Mexico was a little less than 41,000 vaccinations away from the goal of 60% immunizations. The San Juan County vaccination rate is at 58.7%. The state total sits at 57.9%.
In addition to the $100, those who receive the shot will be eligible to enter the Vax 2 the Max sweepstakes.
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 a week during the summer.
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.
For more information, visit vaccineNM.org.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com
