<p>SANTA FE, N.M. &mdash; New Mexico is the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-vaccine-lottery-4c7a3728b79700faea66a6d5b57966fe">latest</a> U.S. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-australia-victoria-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-1e87ce13a62186dc4e5a7719ba8a6954">state</a> to offer cash <a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-9acf368045979d04f15f058f3c3c5654">prizes</a> in a bid to increase <a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-coronavirus-pandemic-health-c441c5b211c13c347fb5e547c4308399">vaccination rates</a>.</p>
<p>Vaccinated residents who register on the state’s new “Vax 2 the Max” portal can win from a $10 million prize pool including a $5 million grand prize, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday.</p>
<p>“Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do — for yourself, for your family and for your state,” Lujan Grisham said. “I’m excited to add a little fun to our nation-leading vaccination push.”</p>
<p>At least 55% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, but the Department of Health wants to reach 70%, closer to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-do-we-reach-herd-immunity-explained-8da12b3d4f6e33c0c6562f29f81ca52a">possible herd immunity</a>.</p>
<p>The lottery idea follows in the footsteps of states like Ohio and California, where some success has been seen in increasing vaccination rates.</p>
<p>Starting next week, New Mexico officials will four draw prizes of $250,000 from different regions of the state, as well as smaller prizes ranging from lottery “scratcher” tickets to in-state vacation packages and museum tickets.</p>
<p>The $5 million prize drawing will be held in August.</p>
<p>To be registered for the drawings, residents must sign up online at <a href="https://vax2themaxnm.org/sweepstakes/">vax2themaxnm.org</a>, which is separate from the state’s <a href="https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/">vaccine scheduling site</a>. Winners will have to produce their vaccination cards.</p>
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<p>Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. <a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/">Report for America</a> is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.</p>