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Delaware's vaccination incentive program is up and running

Sophia Schmidt
/
Delaware Public Media

The First State’s effort to incentivize Delawareans to get vaccinated this month is already in motion.

 

Over 66% of Delawareans 18 and older have received at least one vaccination dose.  But the hope is to meet President Biden’s 70 percent vaccination goal by July.

And the state’s DE Wins program is attempting to incentivize reluctant residents to get vaccinated with twice weekly, anonymous drawings for those that get a shot..

The program’s first random drawing Monday saw four winners with the prizes being $5,000 cash, two Delaware State Parks Passes, and a Wilmington Blue Rocks Luxury Suite Prize.

Another raffle is set for this Friday for those vaccinated by June 3 and features Firefly passes, $5,000 cash, a Funland Prize package, and more state parks passes.

Gov. John Carney says the effort is targeting the younger demographic groups 12-to-17 and 18-to-34 that are lagging at with under 30 and 40 percent vaccinated respectively.

"But we need to get those younger age groups more fully vaccinated and we need to get about $17,000 additional Delawareans vaccinated in order to meet that 70% goal that the president has put out for us," said Carney.

The DE Wins program is also offering businesses up and down the state funding to provide free food and other items to anyone vaccinated.

Carney says they anticipate that piece of the program to boost vaccination numbers and bring people back to those businesses.

"We also have a partnership going under DE Wins with small businesses those who were most negatively affected by covid so bars, restaurants, gyms, salons," said Carney. "You can sign up and you can find out what these incentives are that we've provided financial resources to the companies."

Milton Theater is offering two free tickets to anyone who shows proof of vaccination while Mrs. Rubino’s in Wilmington is offering free spaghetti and meatballs dinners

Full program details are at DEwins.org. 

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.