A guide to Minnesota's new COVID vaccine incentives

With vaccinations declining in Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz is dangling fishing licenses, amusement park passes and gift cards to sweeten the pot.

By the numbers: The number of people receiving at least their first vaccine dose declined from a weekly peak of more than 280,000 in mid-April to fewer than 67,000 in mid-May, according to the Star Tribune.

• Walz is trying to increase our 61% vaccination rate for those 12+ past 70% by July 1.
• He's taking a different approach than some other governors, who are holding lotteries with prizes of $1 million or more.

How it works: The first 100,000 Minnesotans to receive their first dose between May 27 and June 30 can take their pick of:

• One entrance pass to the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth.
• A 30-point ride pass at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America.
• A Minnesota resident annual fishing license.
• One Minnesota State Parks annual pass.
• One adult admission at the Minnesota Zoo.
• One reserved ticket to attend a Northwoods League baseball game in Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud or Willmar.
• Two admission tickets to the State Fair.
• One Valleyfair admission ticket, plus additional tickets at a discount
• A $25 Visa Card.

Beginning June 1, Minnesotans can verify their first dose and indicate their preferred vaccine reward at mn.gov/covid19/summer.

• Walz said the prizes will be paid for by federal COVID relief funds. He didn't rule out another round of perks.
• And you might want to act fast. At our current vaccination rate, all of the prizes will be gone within a week and 40% of them will go to teenagers, according to MPR's David Montgomery.