Kenney and Shandro were out to boost a lottery that has been hastily conceived over the past few days. Not for the first time, they were fuzzy on some details
Don Braid Calgary Herald
Premier Jason Kenney and Minister of Health Tyler Shandro at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Monday, June 14, 2021. They spoke of a new lottery to help encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine.Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta
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The governments special Open for Summer vaccination lottery has plenty of competition.
Prizes are $1 million for a first draw soon, followed by second and third draws in late summer and fall.
By extreme contrast, a $5 Lotto Max ticket might win you $70 million in Tuesdays draw.
A 6/49 ticket for $3 could be worth $5 million on Wednesday.
The little vaccination draw seems paltry in this company, even though theres no price tag except making time to get a jab.
Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro are both concerned that the campaign is on the verge of stalling. Theyve rolled out the lottery so quickly that some questions were left hanging at a Monday news conference.
Hesitation is showing up now that many people who wanted shots have received them. Eighteen per cent of Albertans the highest level in the country say they wont be vaccinated or remain very reluctant.
Appointments for first doses have dropped sharply in the past week.
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Vaccination lotteries have raised rates in some U.S. states. This one will probably help, although its already controversial. (These days, what isnt?)
Many people are furious that the government will spend $3 million to reward people who are only doing what they should have been doing all along.
Others assume the lottery is just for those who havent been vaccinated yet.
In reality, any Albertan 18 or older can enter no matter when they were vaccinated, and even if theyre not vaccinated yet. A single registration makes a person eligible for all three draws.
Its simple to apply at Alberta.ca/lottery.
- Vaccine lottery unlikely to be effective: U of C behavioural economist
- Alberta launches $3M lottery in bid to reach first-dose vaccine target amid faltering demand
Obviously, a person whose name is drawn must be vaccinated to claim the jackpot.
Heres where it gets complicated and almost comical, if anything about COVID-19 is ever funny.
At Mondays news conference, I asked what would happen if an unvaccinated persons name was drawn for one of the big prizes.
Could that person run out to get a jab and then claim the $1 million?
That would make the lottery a great vaccination incentive for one person.
Premier Kenney said: At each stage the eligibility cut-off to enter the draw will be about a week before the draw happens.
Then he seemed to reverse: What if they get drawn and then run out to get proof of vaccination I think were going to allow that, is that right?
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He was asking Shandro, who stepped to the mic.
The easiest thing is for people to just enter with a minimum amount of information, and if theyre drawn, then for them to be able to prove theyve been vaccinated.
Yes, but vaccinated when before or after the draw?
Thats a good question; well have to get back to you on that, Shandro said.
Premier Jason Kenney and Minister of Health Tyler Shandro at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Monday, June 14, 2021. They spoke of a new lottery to help encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine.Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta
Some time later, a health official sent messages.
On the question of delaying vaccination until after the draw, the answer is: The winners immunization record must indicate that they received a first dose prior to the lottery registration window closing at 11:59 p.m. on the seventh day after Albertas chief medical officer of health determines that 70 per cent of vaccine-eligible Albertans have received their first dose.
That sounds as complicated as applying for a passport in Albania.
In plain English, the answer is yes you obviously have to be vaccinated before the draw.
Kenney and Shandro were out to boost a lottery that has been hastily conceived over the past few days. Not for the first time, they were fuzzy on some details.
For this, theyre accused of writing policy on the back of napkins, etc. Its almost true, but hardly surprising.
This pandemic has been one rolling series of crises and panicky adjustments. The crucial priority now is to prevent the vaccination rate from dropping just as the campaign is on the verge of real success.
Some days the exhaustion shows.
Don Braids column appears regularly in the Herald
dbraid@postmedia.com
Twitter: @DonBraid
Facebook: Don Braid Politics
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