COLUMBUS (AP) — (UPDATE) The state says hundreds of thousands of people have entered Ohio’s lottery that will award five $1 million prizes and five full-ride college scholarships in a promotion to increase vaccinations.
The first winners of the Vax-a-Million program will be announced May 26.
The state Department of Health fielded more than 60,000 calls about the lottery when it opened Tuesday and the web site had more than 25 million page views.
The Health Department said Wednesday it will release the total number of entrants May 24 after the first names are drawn and the verification process is completed.
Ohioans can register for the drawing at ohiovaxamillion.com or 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634)
State officials announced major changes to the process Monday, including an opt-in only entry and verification process.
Ohio had initially planned to use state voter registration in addition to an opt-in program to automatically enroll every resident into the drawing but changed it Monday to opt-in only.