In a news conference Thursday, Governor Mike DeWine announced the Ohio Vax-to-School program – a new incentive aiming at getting Ohio’s youth and young adults vaccinated.
Vax-To-School is for all vaccinated Ohioans ages 12 to 25. Those eligible can enter a drawing for one of five $100,000 scholarships; or one of the 50 scholarships of $10,000 available. DeWine said the money can be used at an Ohio college or university, career or technical education, or job training.
More details will be released later by the Ohio Lottery.
This news comes after Ohio sees a rise in children Covid-19 cases.
Funds for the drawing come from existing COVID-19 relief appropriations.
DeWine said 73 percent of those 40 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine in Ohio. He added that 46 percent of those ages 12 to 25 have also received at least one dose.
The Ohio Hospital Association said currently 1 in 4 people in Ohio ICU’s currently are hospitalized due to Covid.