SPRINGFIELD — People around the Miami Valley have different opinions on Ohio’s new Vax-A-Million lottery program.
News Center 7′s John Bedell spoke with patients and health officials at a drive-thru vaccine clinic in Springfield to see whether or not the program is accomplishing its goal of prompting people to get the shot.
Informal polls put out on WHIO-TV’s social media pages show that there is about a 50-50 split in terms of how people feel about the state’s new Vax-A-Million program.
“Well we had two things happen on Wednesday of course. We had the 12-15 authorization from Pfizer and the federal government, and Vax-A-Million,” said Charles Patterson, Health Commissioner for Clark County Combined Health District.
“So we’ve seen our youth vaccinations go up and we’ve seen our adult vaccinations go up four-fold each day since that announcement by the governor.”
A few of the comments on the WHIO Facebook page indicate the varying opinions people here in the Miami Valley are having:
“You don’t want to get the shot, then don’t get it. You don’t want to enter for a chance to win a million, then don’t. Just means more of a chance for me to win!” Gary said.
“I’m registered,” Rachel said.
“Making a game out of individual health decisions is beyond me,” Julie said.
“Help encourage? Sounds more like bribery,” Jeff asked.
At the vaccine clinic in Springfield, Ruth Stone, said she is happy to have her vaccine over with.
Another patient was already vaccinated, but brought her 14-year-old grandson to get the shot.
“I’m really excited. Because he does a lot of summer camps and then he’s been doing virtual school, now he’ll be able to go back to school,” Tina Berrien of Springfield said.
The Clark County Combined Health District said they’ll have drive through clinics at least the next four weeks every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of Leffel Lane and Clifton.