US states use lottery to reverse Covid-19 vaccination slump

WASHINGTON: The US states of Maryland and New York have kicked off their own versions of Covid-19 vaccination lottery to reverse the slumping trend of inoculation, while the pioneer state Ohio has achieved a 53 per cent increase of shots since its program started last week.

Coronavirus vaccinations among the people aged 16 years and older in Ohio had been down 25 per cent in the period of May 7 to 10, compared to the previous weekend, Xinhua news agency reported.

After Governor Mike DeWine announced the lottery on May 12, vaccination rates increased 53 per cent in the period of May 13 to 18, the state Department of Health was quoted by CBS as saying on Thursday. Residents who have been vaccinated will be eligible for five lottery drawings of $1 million.

"This dramatic increase in vaccinations indicates that the Vax-a-Million drawing has been impactful in creating momentum for vaccinations throughout Ohio," Stephanie McCloud, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said in a statement. (IANS)

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