Public events, incentives helping to get COVID-19 shots in people's arms

On Saturday, hundreds of people were in downtown Raleigh for Pride Fest.

Nurses from Wake County Human Services said that, holding vaccine clinics in public spaces helps them reach as many people as possible. They said, so far, more than a dozen people at Pride Fest received their COVID-19 shot and a shot at $1 million.

Nurse Diana Aycock hosts several events throughout the county to make getting a vaccine as easy as possible.

She’s said she's thrilled to hear about ‘The Your Shot at $1 Million Summer Cash Drawing.' It’s a statewide incentive providing four $1 million cash prizes to any adult who’s gotten at least one shot.

"I do hope that it encourages those people who haven't been vaccinated. Obviously, that's a nice incentive," said Aycock.

"It's definitely strategic and definitely a game plan, right there. Please, put me in the pot," said Pride Fest vendor Kimberly Lumpkin.

Lumpkin said that access to a vaccine made it possible for everyone to come together again.

"It makes me feel safer being around other people ... I know I'm protecting myself, which is also protecting you,"" she said.

Volunteers at Durham's Hillside High School are using marketing to make residents aware of the cash prizes at stake, and the chance for youth ages 12 to 17 to win a $125,000 college scholarship if they've gotten at least one shot.

"I think that is a huge incentive and we're so grateful for the governor for thinking outside the box to get more folks vaccinated," said volunteer Donald Hughes.

State health officials said they're hoping to see a surge in people getting vaccinated after Cooper's announcement.