California vaccine lottery: Where people won in June 11 drawing
Sacramento County resident among this week's winners
Sacramento County resident among this week's winners
Sacramento County resident among this week's winners
Gov. Gavin Newsom held the second drawing of California's Vax for the Win lottery Friday, and 15 people, including a Sacramento County resident, were chosen to win $50,000 each.
The winners are being identified by anonymous numbers and the county they live in. The state says it will then reach out to winners and request their approval to share their information publicly.
Here are the counties for June 11's Vax for the Win winners:
- One from Monterey County
- One from Sacramento County
- One from Alameda County
- Three from Los Angeles County
- One from San Francisco County
- One from Fresno County
- One from San Diego County
- One from San Mateo County
- Two from Santa Clara County
- One from Riverside County
- One from Orange County
- One from Kern County
With just a few days until California's June 15 reopening, Newsom on Friday also announced how some businesses are giving out free food and offering deals to those who are vaccinated.
Also on June 15: 10 people will receive the Vax for the Win grand prize of $1.5 million each.
Ahead of announcing Friday's winners, the governor's office said in a release that California has seen a 13% increase in vaccinations administered compared to the previous week, "making California one of the only states in the country to achieve a week-over-week increase in the rate of vaccinations."
At Friday's drawing, Newsom spoke with a 17-year-old San Diego girl who was one of the winners in last week's drawing. She said she thought she was being pranked at first about winning $50,000.
"They called my mom and my mom came in and was like, 'Nancy, you won't believe it.' We didn't believe it at the beginning. But, I think, after a few more phone calls we were like, OK, I think this might be true,'" said Nancy Gutierrez.
Gutierrez's dad works in landscaping and her mom has helped out at home with online schooling, she said.
Nancy said she may study business in the future.
"I think most of us want life to go back to normal" and the vaccine will help with that, she said.
A person from Sacramento County was selected as an alternate winner in last week's lottery after two of the outstanding winners from last week did not come forward.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about California's vaccine lottery:
What are the California vaccine lottery prizes? Who is eligible?
The grand prize: $1.5 million
Ten people on June 15 will find out if they will receive the grand prize of $1.5 million. To be eligible, you must be at least 12 years of age and have received at least your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Prize money will be paid once you have completed your vaccination series.
As of Thursday, more than 18 million people were fully vaccinated in California. Nearly 4 million people were partially vaccinated, according to the state's vaccine progress dashboard.
$50,000 Fridays
There are Fridays -- June 4 and June 11 -- where 15 people each day will receive cash prizes of $50,000.
You are eligible for the lottery prize if you live in California, are at least 12 years of age and have received at least your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Prize money will be paid once you have completed your vaccination series.
Who is not eligible for California's COVID-19 vaccine lottery?
Incarcerated people and those who live out of state are not eligible.
How will winners be notified?
The California Department of Public Health will notify people who win the cash prizes.
Will the winners' names be made public?
Names will not be announced during the drawings. Winners will get the chance to either decline having their name be made public or decline the prize altogether.
How will the cash prize be disbursed?
The State Controller's Office will handle disbursements. If the winner owes any back taxes, child support payments or liens, that could affect how much you receive.
Does U.S. citizenship impact eligibility?
State officials said immigration status does not affect eligibility for the prizes.
What are the $50 cash cards for those planning on getting the vaccine?
Starting May 27, the first 2 million eligible Californians to start and complete their vaccination series can receive a card of their choice:
- A $50 virtual card (which can be spent online, in-store where major debit cards are accepted, or added to a mobile wallet to be used to shop in-stores that accept mobile wallets),
- Or a $50 grocery gift card from Kroger (which includes Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Foods Co.),
- Or a $50 grocery gift card from Albertsons (which includes Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Andronico's Community Markets).
You can receive these cash cards if you live in the state, are at least 12 years of age and get vaccinated starting on or after May 27.
Again, incarcerated people and those out of state cannot receive cash cards.
This card program only lasts until the first 2 million people start or complete the process. Californians who are already fully vaccinated are NOT eligible for the cash cards program.
It can take up to five business days to receive the cash card.
If you do not have a mobile phone, email address or permanent address, you can call 1-833-993-3873 to receive a physical card. But the state says you should wait 7-10 days after your vaccination before calling.
How is the prize money being paid for?
The money will initially be coming from California's general fund. The state expects, however, to get some of that back from federal COVID-19 relief funding.
Where can I learn more information about the COVID-19 vaccine prize money?
The state's Vax for the Win website has more information about the $15 million in prizes, $50,000 Fridays and $50 cards.