For Tracey McIvor, it paid to get vaccinated – quite literally.
The Langon-based educator and principal with the Calgary Board of Education was announced as the first of three recipients to win $1 million in the Alberta government’s $3 million “Open For Summer” vaccination lottery. McIvor’s big win was announced by Premier Jason Kenney on July 1.
“It’s kind of surreal, I’ll be honest with you,” McIvor said in a video chat with the premier after his win was announced. “It was quite a different kind of phone call [to receive]. I was actually on the golf course and didn’t answer it at first because I thought it was something to do with school. I was on the eighth hole and phoned back on the ninth hole. I tried to play it cool, but it’s not working out so [well]. I’m walking around in a bit of a daze.”
In an interview with Global News, McIvor said he received his first shot in the spring, and signed up for the Open For Summer lottery on the first day registration was open.“I’m excited for all of the people who may come after but I’m excited for all the people getting vaccinated and doing the [right] thing,” McIvor said in his conversation with Kenney. “I know it’s been a tough year for so many people, but it’s nice to see we’re coming back to what we consider normalcy. We’re looking forward to greater and better things.”
According to a government press release, more than 1.7 million Albertans have entered the vaccination lottery, which was announced in June as a financial incentive for people to get immunized against COVID-19. Draw winners must include proof of vaccination in order to accept the prizes.
In addition to the three separate $1 million prizes, the lottery boasts other awards, including professional sports tickets, travel and vacation packages, Calgary Stampede-related prizes and hotel packages.
“While I know Albertans will enjoy these prizes, with greater vaccine protection against COVID-19 than ever before, we all win,” said Kenney in a July 1 news release. “Congratulations to today’s winners, we are all celebrating with you as we lift restrictions and open for summer.”
As of press time, Alberta had administered more than 4,673,582 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to provincial government statistics. About 73.6 per cent of Albertans 12 years old and older had been vaccinated with at least one dose as of July 6, while 50.7 per cent of eligible Albertans were fully vaccinated with two doses.
The second draw in the lottery will be held Aug. 31, while the third and final draw has a tentative date set of Sept. 30. The deadline to register for the second draw is Aug. 24. The first draw was for anyone who had at least one dose of vaccine, but proof of a second dose will be required for the second and third draws.
