Feb. 9 (UPI) -- If you're vaccinated against COVID-19, have received a booster shot and live in Maryland, you could win up to $1 million as part of a new state effort to inoculate residents.
Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced VaxCash 2.0 -- the state's second lottery game that aims to increase vaccination rates.
According to health data, about 73% of adults in Maryland are fully vaccinated -- but only about half have received a booster.
"The biggest takeaway from the Omicron surge is just how critically important it is to get a booster shot," Hogan said in a statement. "It is clear that getting fully protected with a booster is the single most important thing you can do right now to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and its variants and to help us all finally move on from this pandemic."
Officials said the promotion will begin with a $500,000 drawing next Tuesday. Afterward, there will be 10 weeks of $50,000 drawings and one lucky person will receive $1 million in a grand prize drawing on May 3.
Officials said everyone who has received a booster is automatically entered in the drawings. The state ran a similar promotion last year.
Maryland's COVID-19 positivity rate has significantly declined over the last few weeks, according to state health data.
