The province of Alberta in Canada is going to great lengths to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates. They are offering an enticing reward: an opportunity to win one of three $1 million prizes. This sweepstakes, appropriately called the “Open for Summer Lottery,” is available to all Albertans aged 18 and older who have received a minimum of one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
This action comes as Alberta contends with a stagnating vaccination rate, a concerning development as new strains appear. By the end of last week, around 47,176 doses had been given, bringing the cumulative number of doses administered in the province to 3,384,026.
The initial drawing is scheduled to occur once 70% of eligible Albertans, encompassing those aged 12 and above, have gotten at least one dose. As of Sunday, they were approaching this target, nearing the 69% threshold.
This is not the first instance of lotteries being employed to enhance vaccination rates. In reality, it’s a tactic that has gained global momentum, with nations like the United States and China implementing comparable programs to motivate individuals to receive their initial shot.
Alberta’s Premier, Jason Kenney, recognized the effectiveness of these initiatives, remarking, “We’ve observed this done very successfully in numerous jurisdictions worldwide because we must provide incentives for the unvaccinated to get vaccinated.”
Nevertheless, not everyone is persuaded by the lottery’s efficacy. Robert Oxoby, a behavioral economist at the University of Calgary, advises that monetary incentives might not be a guaranteed solution. He contends, “You cannot purchase people’s inclinations. The data on that over numerous years demonstrates that you cannot achieve that.”
Timothy Caulfield, a scholar at the University of Alberta, stated: “We’re not promoting this conduct out of duty, or because it’s dangerous, or for a shortage of alternative justifications. We’re supporting it because it’s beneficial for your neighborhood.”
