Vaccinated Aussies given chance to win $1 million Covid prize

3 October 2021 at 12:29 am·2-min read

Want to win a million dollars? Well, it's as easy as getting a Covid-19 vaccine.

That's what's up for grabs for a lucky Australian as part of new initiative dubbed the "Million Dollar Vax campaign".

The campaign will give away $4.1 million worth of prizes, with the big ticket item of $1 million in cash drawn on November 5.

Some 3100 $1000 gift cards will also be drawn throughout October.

A member of the community is seen receiving a Covid vaccine at the Kimberwalli Aboriginal Covid-19 vaccination Hub in Whalan, west of Sydney, Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Source: AAP — Vaccinated Aussies will be eligible to enter a campaign with a $1 million prize . Source: AAP

Funded by philanthropists and corporations, the campaign aims to boost national vaccination rates above 80 per cent, a key reopening target under the national plan.

But Craig Winkler, from the Million Dollar Vax Alliance, says it is not designed to convince vaccine hesitant Australians to get the jab.

"The promotion simply seeks to reward people who decide to be vaccinated now rather than waiting, so that we can reduce the community impact of the Covid-19 pandemic," he said in a statement on Sunday.

"The aim is to accelerate Australia's Covid-19 vaccination program in a safe way throughout the month of October.

"The faster we reach higher vaccination rates nationally, higher than 80 per cent, the sooner we all can safely resume our full range of community and business activity."

Covid vaccine deadline for Aussies to be eligible

Australia's vaccination rates have soared in recent months as supply issues eased, with 79 per cent of the 16-plus population having received at least a first dose and 56 per cent double-dosed.

The federal government had been considering incentives to encourage Australians to get the jab before lockdown-inducing outbreaks of the highly infectious Delta variant in NSW and Victoria.

The initiative is inspired by the Ohio 'Vax-A-Million' campaign and Philanthropy Australia chief executive Jack Heath hopes their version will "save lives, ease the burden on healthcare workers, and benefit the wider community".

All Australian adults are eligible to enter the competition online, as long as they've received a first dose on or before October 31.

Prizes will only be dished out to those fully vaccinated by December 13, six weeks after the cut-off date.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.