Gov. Walz to Minnesota Kids: Get vaccinated, receive $200 and chance at $100,000 scholarship

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota on Monday announced a new $200 vaccine incentive aimed at 12- to 17-year-olds and a chance for them to win a $100,000 college scholarship.

Under the program called “Kids Deserve a Shot,” the kids can receive a $200 VISA gift card if they get vaccinated between Oct. 18 and Nov. 30.

Minnesota Department of Health records show half of the children between the ages of 12 to 15 in the state have gotten the shot and less than 60% of those 16- to 17-year-old.

Those under the age of 18 are only eligible to receive the two-dose Pfizer vaccine.

For the college scholarship drawings, the announcement from the governor’s office said there will be five drawings, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, for $100,000 worth of Minnesota college scholarships and other prizes.

The college scholarship drawings are open to any child that got vaccinated in 2021 and not just getting vaccinated from now through November 30 for the VISA cards.

This latest push from the state will cost $12.2 million and will be funded by the $8.5 billion in federal coronavirus aid that the state received.

“We’re launching this program to help reward teens for doing their part by getting fully vaccinated and keeping our schools, community, and state safe,” Walz said.

Minnesotans who enter the $100,000 Minnesota College Scholarship Drawings will also be entered to win other fun Minnesota experiences. Minnesota experience drawing details will be announced in the coming weeks, the governor’s office said.

Parents or guardians must enter their 12-17-year-old by the entry deadline to be eligible for the following drawing(s). Once a kid is entered, they will be included in all following drawings. The drawings will be conducted by the Minnesota State Lottery.

Read full program details and rules and register online at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/vaccine-rewards/kids-deserve-a-shot/.

How Minnesotans can get a free COVID-19 test:

• Order a test through the state’s no-cost at-home COVID-19 testing program.
• Find a testing option, including through local providers, pharmacies and clinics, near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map.
• Walk-in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s no-cost community testing sites across Minnesota.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Walk in or make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector.
  • Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline
    • 1-833-431-2053
    • -Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
  • Check for vaccine appointments using the Vaccine Finder. You can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
  • Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

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