COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you haven't received your COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time to do so.
The deadline is approaching quickly for Ohio's Vax-2-School lottery drawing. State residents from 5-25 years of age who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine are eligible to win one of 150 $10,000 scholarships or one of five $100,000 grand prize scholarships.
The deadlines for the drawing are as follows:
- Sunday, Nov. 21, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for all drawings
- Sunday, Nov. 28, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for the second drawing (75 $10,000 winners) and the grand prize drawing
- Wednesday, Dec. 1, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for the grand prize drawing
Those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine can enter the lottery program online at ohiovax2school.com or via the phone at (833) 4-ASK-ODH ((833) 427-5634). The winners who get the scholarships will receive them in the form of Ohio 529 College Advantage Plans and can use the money at any Ohio college, university, technical/trade school, or career program.
Those looking to schedule vaccine appointments throughout the state can visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
"Vaccines offer the best protection from COVID-19 and the Ohio Vax-2-School program is an added incentive to be vaccinated for those in the eligible age group who have received at least one dose of the vaccine," The Ohio Department of Health said in a statement. "This applies to vaccinations received at any point since the COVID-19 vaccines have been available."
Over the past few months, ODH has worked alongside vaccine providers -- such as local health departments, pediatricians, family physicians, hospitals and pharmacies -- to encourage vaccinations for Ohio's youth population. The shots are not available for all kids ages 5 and up, with those 5-11 getting a different dose than others.