COLUMBUS, Ohio — A million dollar idea to encourage Ohioans to get the COVID-19 vaccine is also one that some are calling a big waste of money.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio adults who have received their COVID-19 vaccine have a chance to win $1 million

  • Gov. Mike DeWine said it’s a small price to pay to encourage people to get the vaccine

  • A drawing for free college also will occur for Ohio youth that have received the vaccine

In an effort to incentivize those on the fence of getting the vaccine, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is starting a lottery.  

Every adult who gets their vaccine is entered into the five drawings beginning May 26, and the prize of each drawing is $1 million.

“It’s the people in the middle who determine whether we get the numbers that we need to really tamp this virus down," said DeWine, "That’s where the game is. That’s where the action is, and so being able to come up with an incentive to entice those people seemed well worth the money.”

Some, however, said it’s not worth the money going so far as to calling the move a “show gimmick.”

"Using taxpayer dollars to incentivize something of this nature is an abuse of public resources, regardless of whether it is federal money or not," Ohio House Rep. Jean Schmidt said in a statement.​

But DeWine is keeping his winning attitude about the lottery, and said it’s a relatively small price that could make a huge impact.

“I know there are people that say, well that’s a terrible waste of money," said DeWine "Crazy DeWine, terrible, terrible waste of money. What’s a waste is that at this point, is we now have the vaccine, and when someone dies, of COVID because they didn’t get the shot — that is the human waste."

Meanwhile, another contest is in the works for any child 17 and younger who have received their vaccines. They will be entered to win a full ride to any Ohio public college or university, including tuition, books and room and board.