EDMONTON – Immunized Albertans still have to enter to win a prize in the province’s vaccine lottery, the premier clarified Monday afternoon.
Jason Kenney released a video on Twitter on Saturday, teasing three $1-million prizes and some other rewards for people who get their shot.
But the announcement was somewhat vague, with many people left wondering if they needed to sign up or if they were automatically entered in the lottery.
WATCH: Alberta gives update on COVID-19 vaccine lottery
Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro laid out more details of the draw, sharing that Albertans can sign up for the draw online and will have to prove they’ve been vaccinated if they are lucky enough to win.
“We want to give Albertans every reason we can to get vaccinated. This lottery program is another incentive to get the full two-dose protection as soon as possible. I encourage all eligible Albertans to do their part and roll up their sleeves so we can save lives, protect our communities and get life back to normal,” Kenney said.
Once you’ve entered for the first draw, you can opt-in to the other two draws instead of re-entering two more times.
Applications for the first draw close a week after the 70 per cent vaccinated threshold is met.
On the younger Albertans, Shandro says they are also drafting incentive programs for people 12-17. Promises details in coming days.
On the cost of this, Shandro says this is a small price to pay to help end the pandemic, after spending billions battling COVID-19.
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) June 14, 2021
The first $1-million prize will be given out on the first day of stage three of the province’s opening plan, which is projected to happen in early July.
The second prize, which will be drawn from people who have both of their vaccine doses, will be drawn in August.
RELATED: Incentives can provide ‘a little push’ to overcome vaccine hesitancy: expert
The third is expected to be drawn around the end of September.
As for Albertans 12 to 17 years old, Shandro promised more information will come soon on prizes teens will be eligible for since you will have to be over 18 to win a $1-million prize.
Kenney says about 570,000 people have not been vaccinated, but are open to it. Need to reach that group to break the barrier.
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) June 14, 2021
About 68 per cent of eligible Albertans have their first COVID-19 shot and the province estimates that we could hit the 69 per cent mark by the end of the day Monday.
Some 570,000 Albertans will need to get vaccinated in the coming days in order for the province to reach the 70 per cent threshold to move into stage three.
On Monday evening, Premier Kenney tweeted out that 325,180 Albertans had signed up for the lottery.
Amazing response so far to our #OpenForSummer Lottery!
If you haven't booked your first dose yet, you've got 1 million reasons to do it right now:https://t.co/t6gSnm4lw9 pic.twitter.com/2G8TsXSyNW
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) June 15, 2021
