First $1 million winner will be announced Today

You must have your first shot to be eligible

(File Photo)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Even with case numbers continuing to drop, state officials are still urging Kentuckians to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians that the first winners of the “Shot at a Million” campaign will be announced on Friday.

The prizes include one lucky person 18 and older winning $1 million, before taxes, while five Kentuckians under 18 will win a full scholarship to any Kentucky postsecondary institution. 

You must have your first shot to be eligible, then visit shotatamillion.ky.gov to enter. 

Entering requires Kentuckians to provide personal and contact information, including name, birth date, email address, phone number, home address and the name and location of the place that provided you with the vaccine. 

It also requires agreement to the official rules of the drawing and agreement to allow the Kentucky Department for Public Health to verify your vaccination information.  The website also offers information about eligibility, how to find a vaccine appointment, frequently asked questions and the official rules.

The final two drawings will be on July 29 and Aug. 26, with winners announced the following day.  You must register by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the drawings.  Anyone who has already registered will still be in the hunt for subsequent drawings. 

“These are scientific miracles,” Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander said, referring to the COVID vaccines.  “If we get vaccinated, we drive down these infection rates, we drive down hospitalizations.  This is the most effective thing you can do—get vaccinated.”

Gov. Beshear said there is new evidence that the vaccines are even more effective than originally thought. 

“Scientists reported this week that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines set off a persistent immune reaction in the body which may protect individuals for COVID-19 for years,” he noted.  “I just want everybody to think about that.  We ended up with vaccines in less than a year, after a one in every 100 years pandemic.  We were hoping for something as effective as the flu shot, and we got 90+% effective, and 88% effective against the Delta variant, after your second shot.  That’s even the most aggressive variant.”