State COVID lotteries did not increase vaccination rates, study finds

What they found: Researchers examined vaccination rates in 19 states before and after their lottery announcements and concluded that the association between the two variables was "statistically indistinguishable from zero," the study noted.

• Compared with states that didn't have vaccine lotteries, the study found that there was essentially "zero difference" in the vaccination rates of states that held vaccine lotteries and those that didn't, Friedson said in a news release.

What they're saying: “[O]ur research points to a disappointing outcome—that is, there was no significant association found between a cash-drawing announcement and the number of vaccinations administered after the announcement date," according to Friedson.

• “This shows a clear need to reassess how we are encouraging individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine," he said.

Of note: The study's findings contradict the early claims of some state officials, who said the lotteries had increased vaccination rates.

• New York state officials, for example, said that the incentive programs had "pushed more New Yorkers to pull up their sleeve."
• Just days after launching the "Vax-a-Million" program, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said the campaign had boosted vaccinations across multiple age groups. Researchers later pointed out that the launch of the program coincided with the state opening up vaccinations for younger Americans.