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Alabama NAACP gives away total of $6,000 in 'vaccine lottery' for millennials, Gen-Zers

Alabama contestants were between the ages of 18-40.

ATHENS, Ala. — On Wednesday night, six people in Alabama are $1,000 richer thanks to the Alabama NAACP!

The organization held a drawing to get more millennials and Gen-zers vaccinated. Leaders say more than 450 people entered to win the prize.

“A lot of our millennials are not getting vaccinated. And so we started thinking, what can we do to incentivize more people to get the vaccine,” said Alabama NAACP President, Benard Simelton.

The organization held a drawing last Saturday, and CBG Strategies decided to sweeten the deal by adding $6,000 more.

“You know the money is good, but it just shows how important it is and how important it is for them to get the vaccine,” said Simelton.

“That group is very active. They’re very active. They’re around their parents, they’re around grandparents, and so they may not exhibit the symptoms but they could be carriers coming in,” said Alabama NAACP Executive Director, Terra Foster.

Leaders encourage people to protect themselves if they're still hesitant about getting the vaccine.

“Believe the science. Don’t believe what you’re hearing from others who are not participating who are giving false stories about the vaccine,” says Simelton.

Alabama NAACP said they'd be willing to partner with another organization for another round of drawings.

The winners announced for Saturday's and Wednesday's drawings are:

Alice Beverly

Davion Euell

Eric Bailey

Christopher Ford

Daniel Newton

Shalea Dowdy

Randall Porter

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.  

The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public. 

Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. 

Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC. 

If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine. 

Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health. 

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