Ohio reveals the first winners in its $1 million lottery for people who get vaccinated against COVID-19

• Ohio announced the first two winners of its coronavirus vaccine lottery on Wednesday.
• One adult will receive $1 million, and one student will get a full scholarship for college.
• See more stories on Insider’s business page.

One Ohio resident is now $1 million richer after the state on Wednesday announced the first winners of its coronavirus vaccine lottery.

Abbigail Bugenske of Silverton, near Cincinnati, was the first winner announced in the “Vax-a-Million” initiative earlier this month to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

The state also awarded a college scholarship to Joseph Costello from Englewood, near Dayton.

Both were chosen by a random number generator on Monday, WLWT reported, and will need to provide proof they were vaccinated.

On Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said more than 2.7 million residents had entered the lottery, which is only open to those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

The state is giving away a total of $5 million, along with five full-ride scholarships to any state college or university, room-and-board included.

The next winners will be announced June 2.

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