Vaccinations steadily increase as incentive program nears first drawing for winners

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson announced the vaccine incentive program on July 21, and since then vaccinations have steadily increased across the state.

According to the state's vaccine dashboard, health officials have given out an average of 13,000 vaccines each day over the past week. Before the incentives were announced, the seven-day average of doses administered per day hovered between 7,000 and 11,600 during the first three weeks of July.

On July 23, the seven-day average of doses administered hit 17,414. Even though this is higher than before the incentive program was announced, it is still nowhere near the peak average on April 9 of 84,866 doses administered.

At the same time, more than 20,000 doses of the vaccine were shipped to Missouri for the third week in a row. Compared to just two months ago, the number of vaccines ordered jumped by more than 19,000.

In the first week of June, 1,670 doses were ordered in Missouri. Then for the week of Aug. 2, 21,010 doses were ordered.

The first drawing for the vaccine incentive program is on Aug. 13, where more than 180 winners will be randomly selected to win cash or education savings account prizes. The deadline to register for the first drawing is Wednesday.

The final drawing to win a prize for getting the vaccine is on Oct. 8.

There are chances to get the vaccine in Mid-Missouri this week, including at Stephens Lake Park Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at the Southern Boone Farmers Market from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In Cole County, Missourians can get the vaccine at the health department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone 12 and older is eligible to get the vaccine, but kids under 18 will need a consent form from a parent or legal guardian.

The vaccine is free to anyone who wants one.