The Canadian province of Alberta is launching a novel initiative to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations: a vaccine sweepstakes. Dubbed the “Open for Summer Lottery,” the program offers a tantalizing reward – three opportunities to win a million dollars! Eligibility is open to any resident aged 18 or older who has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
This measure comes as Alberta experiences a stagnation in vaccination rates, even as newer, more transmissible variants of the virus circulate. Authorities hope this lottery will provide the impetus for some individuals to get their initial shot.
The use of a lottery to bolster vaccination rates is not unprecedented. Numerous nations, including the United States and China, have implemented comparable strategies with mixed results.
While some express optimism, others, such as University of Calgary behavioral economist Robert Oxoby, remain more reserved. He highlights that financial incentives cannot always alter deeply ingrained convictions or address hesitancy stemming from misinformation.
University of Alberta scholar, Timothy Caulfield, stated, “Receiving a vaccination is not about responsibility, or avoiding repercussions, or any other factor, truly. It’s about contributing to the well-being of your community.”
admin