Tatum Goetting
Editorial Assistant

Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of a statewide COVID-19 vaccination incentive program on July 21 at a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol.

The incentive program is to encourage the vaccination of all Missourians age 12 and up.

Missouri is behind the national average for vaccinations. As of Wednesday morning, 57.1% Missourians 18 and older have started the vaccination process and 50% have completed it, according to the state’s vaccine dashboard. This is below the country’s rate for the same group, which shows 68.3% of Americans 18 and older have started the process and 59.6% vaccinated, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Over the next three months, 900 Missourians who have been or will choose to be vaccinated will be eligible to win cash or education savings account prizes in the amount of $10,000.

Governor Parsons emphasized the importance of Missourians educating themselves on getting the vaccine.

“We must all take personal responsibility and do right by our own health, and that of our friends and family, by getting vaccinated,” Parson said. “Our current COVID-19 situation is serious. This Delta variant transmits faster than what we have previously seen and is more likely to impact children and the unvaccinated.”

The first drawing will be August 13, and drawings will occur every two weeks, with the final drawing scheduled for October 8.

Once Missouri residents receive at least one does, they become eligible to enter at MOStopsCovid.com/win. Once entered, their entry will be carried over through all the drawings.

A winner must meet all of the following eligibility requirements: must be a living citizen of the United States and a permanent resident of the State of Missouri; must be age 12 or older; must have received at least the first COVID-19 vaccination if receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose if receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, prior to the drawing date (records will be verified).

Entries will be divided into three categories: red, Missourians age 18 and up receiving at least one dose of vaccine after July 21; white, Missourians age 18 and up receiving at least one dose of vaccine before July 21; and blue, Missourians ages 12 to 17 receiving at least one dose of vaccine at any time.

Parsons also announced that Donald Kauefauf has been appointed director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Kauerauf had previously served in leadership positions in the state of Illinois.

“I’m looking forward to working with public health agencies, healthcare providers, and communities to build upon the great work that has been initiated in Missouri to address the current COVID-19 situation,” Kauerauf said.

Former Missouri DHSS director Dr. Randall Williams resigned in April.