Gov. Whitmer Highlights "Outstanding Success" of MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes, which Increased Vaccinations Every Week During July

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 23, 2021 

Contact: press@michigan.gov  

Gov. Whitmer Highlights "Outstanding Success" of MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes, which Increased Vaccinations Every Week During July 

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today was joined by leaders of the Protect Michigan Commission and Michigan Education Trust to announce all remaining winners in the MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes, a lottery-style raffle that gave fully vaccinated Michiganders a chance to win more than $5 million in cash and a combined total of nearly $500,000 in college scholarships. 

"Thanks to every Michigander who got their shot, the MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes has been a success and we are continuing to make progress in keeping our families and communities safe," said Governor Whitmer. "But our work is not done. We are going to keep making efforts to reach people where they are, answer their questions and help them get their shots. If we work together, I know we can get this done and continue our economic jumpstart." 

During a news conference on July 1, Governor Whitmer announced the launch of the sweepstakes alongside the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of United Ways, Michigan Association of State Universities, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

While the summer months historically report lower vaccination rates, the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes helped Michigan reverse that trend during a critical period of time before the more infectious Delta variant became the dominant strain of COVID-19. Michigan recorded week-to-week increases for first dose vaccinations throughout July during the sweepstakes: 

July 4-10 28,000 first doses administered 

July 11-17 30,000 first doses administered 

July 18-24 35,000 first doses administered 

July 25-30 41,000 first doses administered 

The sweepstakes helped increase the state's vaccination rates from 61% to 63%, supporting the climb toward the state's goal of a 70% vaccination rate. Michigan's vaccination rate now exceeds 65%, according to state's most recent data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard. 

Over that same July time span, more than 2.4 million Michiganders signed up to win cash prizes and over 106,000 Michiganders entered to win scholarships. The media coverage from the sweepstakes also generated more than $7 million in free publicity about the importance of getting one of the three safe and effective vaccinates.? 

"The sweepstakes and news coverage helped spur conversations between families and friends about the sweepstakes," said Protect Michigan Commission Director Kerry Ebersole Singh. "Several winners who were previously unvaccinated before the sweepstakes said they were inspired to get their vaccinations based on those discussions and the prizes they could win." 

Michigan's sweepstakes was one just strategy the state and the Protect Michigan Commission has used to promote vaccinations, Ebersole Singh noted. Governor Whitmer created the Protect Michigan Commission in January. Housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, commission leaders are charged with helping to ensure every Michigander has a plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19.  

With three safe and effective vaccines readily available to all eligible residents, the state of Michigan has seen the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths plummet for vaccinated individuals, while unvaccinated Michiganders remain vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. From January to July of this year, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for a staggering 98% of COVID cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 96% of deaths. 

Moving forward, the Protect Michigan Commission will:  

• Continue the commission's wide-ranging public education campaign. 
• Highlight Michiganders' COVID experience stories in its messaging and advertising.  
• Increase community access points for vaccinations through mobile clinics and community events. 

• Continue door-to-door outreach and canvassing efforts to low-coverage areas -over 200,000 doors have already been knocked in communities throughout Michigan -to encourage people to get vaccinated.  

"If we work together to increase vaccination rates, we can continue putting people back to work, continue our economic jumpstart, and ensure students can safely learn in the classroom," Ebersole Singh said. "So please: get your shots to keep yourself and your loved ones safe." 

The MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes giveaway featured $5 million in total prizes, including 30 daily prizes of $50,000, a $1 million prize and a $2 million grand prize. For those receiving vaccines ages 12 to 17, there were nine four-year college scholarships. Each scholarship drawing prize consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust (MET) Charitable Tuition Program contract (valued at $55,000) that may be used to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at a college or university in accordance with MET terms and conditions.  

Michigan's sweepstakes giveaway was powered by Meijer in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways and the State of Michigan. The statewide vaccine sweepstakes is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of State Universities, Small Business Association of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Protect Michigan Commission and many more organizations.  

The complete list of MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes winners include: 

$2 Million Winner 

Christine Duval, Bloomfield Township, Oakland County 

$1 Million Winner 

LaTonda Anderson, Grand Blanc, Genesee County 

Michigan Education Trust Scholarship Winners 

Landon Burkhart, Dakota High School, Macomb County 

Karan Choudhary, Plymouth High School, Wayne County 

Josiah DeBaets, Eastern High School, Kent County 

Ian Miller, Salem High School, Wayne County 

Meadow Surman, White Lake Middle School, Oakland County 

Mallory Wheeler, Reading High School, Hillsdale County 

Jackson Wittwer, Eisenhower High School, Macomb County 

Kamare Wright, Thurston High School, Wayne County 

Hudson Chambers, Grand Rapids City High Middle School, Kent County 

$50,000 Daily Drawing Winners 

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