Grand-prize drawing held May 3
The final two $50,000 winners form the VaxCash 2.0 promotion have claimed their prizes, just before the final drawing May 3 for a $1 million prize.
The last two $50,000 winners, who hail from Ellicott City and Prince George’s County, were selected in drawings held April 19 and April 26, respectively. Both winners chose to remain anonymous.
The Ellicott City woman did not initially believe she won when she was notified by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). She and her husband made a few phone calls to confirm the news. With her prize, the 63-year-old retiree plans to buy a pool, and save for her grandchildren’s education.
Also shocked by her big win was a Prince George’s County resident who said she Googled the name of the MDH representative who called her with the news to confirm it was real. The self-employed 33-year-old said that getting vaccinated was a “no brainer,” and simply “the right thing to do”. She plans to use her winnings to pay bills and help towards living expenses for the next few years.
The final VaxCash 2.0 Promotion drawing was held May 3 to select a $1 million winner. All Maryland residents 18 and older who had received an initial shot(s) and a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at eligible facilities in Maryland at any time were eligible to win. No registration or entry was needed.
The VaxCash 2.0 Promotion awarded $2 million in total cash prizes in weekly drawings from Feb. 15 through today, May 3. The first drawing on Feb. 15 awarded a $500,000 prize to a Dundalk woman. Prior to today’s $1 million grand-prize drawing, 10 winners received $50,000.
VaxCash 2.0 aimed to incentivize Marylanders to get COVID-19 booster shots. The promotion followed last year’s successful collaboration between the Lottery and MDH for the VaxCash Promotion. For complete details about VaxCash 2.0, including the official rules and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the VaxCash 2.0 page.
