17-year-old among vaccinated Californians who are $50K richer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Fifteen more vaccinated Californians potentially became $50,000 richer on Friday in the state's second "Vax for the Win" lottery game, encouraging more people to get inoculated against the deadly coronavirus.
The winners are not identified by name, only by county, unless winners give their permission to reveal their identities.
Winners were picked from these counties on Friday: Monterey, Sacramento, Alameda, two from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Riverside and Santa Clara.
Last Friday, 15 winners were also picked.
One guy named "Tony" was one of the winners and Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted a video about him.
And on Friday for the first time, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced another one of last week's winners by first and last name: 17-year-old Nancy Gutierrez of Vista.
Since she's not 18, the money will be put into a savings account for her until she becomes old enough to claim it.
"I was really excited," the teen said, saying she got vaccinated in May. "I have more liberty with going outside."
Her father is a landscaper and her mom stays home to help her and her two brothers.
When her mom got the call, both were surprised to hear the news.
"Nancy, you won't believe it," she recalled her mom saying.
It's a good thing that her mom picked up the phone.
Gov. Newsom details historic vaccine incentive program
In hopes of getting more Californians vaccinated, Governor Gavin Newsom is introducing a historic $116.5 million vaccine incentive program. Newsom launched "Vax for the Win," a new vaccine incentive program designed to encourage Californians to get their vaccines before the state’s reopening on June 15.
That's because last week, two of the 15 winners from San Diego and Santa Clara counties did not respond to the California Department of Public Health's phone calls, emails and texts, and therefore, forfeited the $50,000, according to health department spokeswoman, Sami Gallegos.
Two alternates were then called. One from Monterey County answered the call, but state officials have yet to contact a Sacramento County winner.
As of Friday, Newsom said California had vaccinated 40 million residents, roughly twice the number of those vaccinated in Texas and Florida.
He added that California has the lowest COVID case rate in the nation.
The big lottery day is Tuesday when California reopens and 10 vaccinated Californians have a chance at winning $1.5 million each.
Winners must complete their vaccination in order to claim their prize.
If someone under 18 wins, the cash will be put in a savings account for them until they turn 18.
For more information about Vax for the Win, please visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vax-for-the-win