Ohio opens Vax-2-School registration to children 5-11

$2M in scholarships will be awarded to encourage vaccination against COVID-19.

The state’s Vax-2-School program opened registration to children ages 5 to 11 on Wednesday.

The program will award $2 million in scholarships to eligible Ohioans ages 5 to 25. Prizes include 150 $10,000 scholarships and five $100,000 grand prize scholarships awarded in Ohio 529 College Advantage plans. Funds can be used at the Ohio college, university, technical/trade school or career program of the winner’s choice.

The drawings for the daily prizes will be on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, with the grand prize drawing scheduled for Dec. 2, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Daily prize winners will be announced on Twitter and Instagram and online at ohiovax2school.com starting on Nov. 29 and ending on Dec. 3. The grand prize winner will be announced on the Ohio Lottery broadcast at 7:29 p.m. on Dec. 2.

The registration deadlines for the drawing are:

  • Nov. 21, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for all drawings
  • Nov. 28, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for the second drawing (75 $10,000 winners) and the grand prize drawing
  • Dec. 1, 11:59 p.m. – eligible for the grand prize drawing

Enter online at www.ohiovax2school.com or by phone at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) once at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered. Participants only need to register once. If they are not selected in one drawing, their entry will be carried over for the next one.

On Monday, ODH announced Vax-2-School would be extended as soon as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the Pfizer pediatric formulation for children 5 to 11.

The CDC announced Tuesday night it accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation to vaccinate children 5 to 11.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky. “We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an emergency use authorization for the pediatric vaccine formula last week.

More than 6.4 million Ohioans, which represents nearly 65% of Ohioans 12 and older, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine so far, the ODH said.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available throughout the state. Many providers offer walk-in appointments, or Ohioans can schedule a vaccination appointment at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Ohioans who want to learn more about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines should talk to their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine to learn more.

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