YAKIMA, Wash. — The winner of this week's $250,000 COVID-19 vaccine lottery prize says he wasn't even aware the lottery was going on.
The winner, identified as Yakima resident Dillon T. claimed the prize Thursday morning at the Washington's Lottery regional office. He issued a statement Friday, saying, "I’m not really on social media, so I honestly didn’t even know that this COVID lottery was going on here in Washington, but it’s a nice thing that it’s happening and drawing attention to getting vaccinated. For me, getting this prize is a big stress reliever, especially given all that’s been happening in life and the world these past few years."
The second of five planned drawings for the state’s “Shot of a Lifetime” vaccine lottery occurred on Tuesday with 251 prizes available. As of Friday, 151 of those prizes available to adults have been claimed. The prizes include 49 Microsoft Xboxes, a set of Seattle Storm tickets for the last six games of the season, two Nintendo Switch packs and a set of four Sounders tickets with an autographed jersey. As of Friday afternoon, 100 prizes remain unclaimed.
In this week's drawing, nine of the 15 prizes available to youth ages 12-17 have also been claimed. Each winner will receive 100 Washington Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Units, which is equivalent to one year of tuition and fees as an undergraduate or resident at Washington's public universities.
Winners are contacted by Washington’s Lottery officials by phone or email. Winners then have 72 hours to call lottery officials back to claim their prize. Any unclaimed prizes will be placed in the fifth and final drawing, at which point the state will also draw for the $1 million grand prize winner.
The next drawing will be held on Tuesday, June 22.
Gov. Jay Inslee also announced on Thursday the state’s latest vaccine incentive called “A Heroes Thanks.”
The promotion is similar to the vaccine lottery but the only Washingtonians eligible are military members, their families and veterans.