Immunize Nevada officials estimate nearly 441,000 Nevadans were spurred to get vaccinated for COVID-19 because of the Vax Nevada Days giveaway. The data was released Monday in a report recapping the program’s efforts.
COVID-19 vaccinations were declining in Nevada last June when the Vax Nevada Days campaign was announced. That turned around shortly after the first giveaway on July 9, when daily vaccine doses administered dropped to just under 5,000 statewide. Vaccinations rebounded however, increasing to more than 7,000 doses administered per day throughout the eight weeks of prizes.
Over the course of the campaign, Vax Nevada Days awarded $5 million in cash and prizes to some 2,000 Nevadans who’d been vaccinated for COVID-19. The prizes included Nevada fishing licenses, annual State Parks passes, 529 college tuition savings plans valued at $5,000 to $50,000, and cash prizes from $1,000 up to a $1 million grand prize.
Some said the prizes were a nice reward for something they’d already planned to do.
“It was a pleasant surprise and reinforced our support for getting vaccinated,” one $1,000 cash winner said.
Others said the prizes were life-changing.
“The scholarship prize will provide an opportunity to pursue a dream/career that otherwise may not have been possible,” said one college savings plan winner. Another cash winner said they’d be able to attend school without being loaded with debt after graduation.
Gov. Sisolak said he was proud of the results Vax Nevada Days generated.
“More Nevadans vaccinated was the goal and Vax Nevada Days helped us achieve that goal thanks to our statewide team,” he said.
Since the end of Vax Nevada Days vaccinations have continued to increase statewide, in part because age-based eligibility has expanded and booster doses have been approved. Nevada Health Response is reporting nearly 10,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine are administered daily.
