ST PAUL, Minn. — Kids have a new way to make some money in Minnesota: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
Gov. Tim Walz announced the "Kids Deserve a Shot" program in a Monday news release. The program includes two incentives, a $200 Visa gift card and a chance to win one of five $100,000 scholarships.
Walz said kids ages 12 to 17 are eligible for the $200 reward, but they need to start and finish their COVID-19 vaccine series between Oct. 18 and Nov. 30.
The time window doesn't apply to the $100,000 scholarship drawing. Walz said any Minnesotans between 12 and 17 years old who complete their vaccine series in 2021 are eligible.
According to the governor's office, Walz authorized $12.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding for the "Kids Deserve a Shot" program.
The governor said only about half of Minnesota's 12-15 population is fully vaccinated against the virus. It's not looking much better for 16 and 17-year-olds; about 60% are considered fully vaccinated.
How do you register for the $200 incentive?
Parents and guardians can register their children for the $200 reward after they get their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Registration opens at 8 a.m.. on Nov. 9 and closes at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30.
The registration form for both the $200 reward and the scholarship drawing is available on the state's website.
What about the scholarships?
Any Minnesotan from 12 to 17 years old who completes their COVID-19 vaccine series at any point in 2021 can enter for a chance at the five scholarship drawings. The $100,000 scholarships can be used at any public or private non-profit higher education institution in Minnesota.
Deadlines to enter for the drawings are as follows:
- Drawing 1 is on Nov. 19. The entry deadline is Nov. 15.
- Drawing 2 is on Nov. 29. The entry deadline is Nov. 22.
- Drawing 3 is on Dec. 3. The entry deadline is Nov. 29.
- Drawing 4 is on Dec. 10. The entry deadline is Dec. 6.
- Drawing 5 is on Dec. 17. The entry deadline is Dec. 13.
Once a child is entered they'll be eligible for all the subsequent drawings. Walz said those who enter this drawing will also be entered for a chance at other incentives.
“To keep our schools safe for kids of all ages, we need our teens who are eligible now to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said in the news release. “Our children deserve a shot of protection from these safe, effective vaccines, and kids deserve a shot at these amazing rewards.”