FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky saw a short-term spike in vaccinations for two weeks following Gov. Andy Beshear announcing the state's Shot at a Million sweepstakes.

The Shot at a Million was created as an incentive to encourage Kentuckians to get vaccinated. Beshear said it seems to have worked, and CDC data appears to agree.

Taking a look at CDC rolling 7-day average for vaccine doses administered, Kentucky reached a peak on April 15 with 41,335 doses administered. However, from April 20 to June 5, it started to fall from 40,489 to 7,078. That's an 82% decline. 

Beshear announced the Shot at a Million vaccine incentive on June 4. Soon after, CDC data points to an increase in vaccinations in the Commonwealth, rising from 7,078 on June 5 to 18,369 on June 18. That's a 159% increase.

There is no survey to ask Kentuckians what drove them to get a vaccine, so there no definitive way to say whether or not the Shot at a Million sweepstakes is what inspired the short-term spike. However, based on how many people have entered for a chance to win, it is clear there is interest.

"Certainly we have almost 500,000 Kentuckians that are signed up for the shot at a million. We have about 40,000 kids 12-17 signed up for the free scholarships. We would like to see more in that area," said Beshear.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

It's important to keep the short-term vaccination spike in context. There were still over 100,000 more doses administered in the month leading up to the Shot at a Million announcement than there was the week after. For example, CDC data shows there were 230,535 doses administered in Kentucky from May 5-June 4. That's compared to 114,089 doses administered from June 5-June 28.

Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said vaccines appear to be working. Stack said in the last four weeks, 99.92% of reported cases in Kentucky were in people who are not vaccinated.

"Hopefully a million dollars inspires folks who want a chance, actually way better odds than winning the lottery, to win a million dollars or win 1 of 15 full tuition scholarships for your kid. I hope that helps inspire folks to do it," Stack said. "I hope they are even more inspired by the fact that 100% of the people getting sick now in Kentucky are the ones who are not vaccinated. It is in your best interest to get vaccinated.”

There will be three drawings in total this summer. Winners will be announced July 2, July 30 and August 27. Vaccinated Kentucky adults can enter to win $1 million. Kids 12-17 are not eligible for the cash prize, but they can enter to win a full-ride scholarship. The deadline to apply for the first drawing is 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday. You can enter here.