Vaccinated North Carolinians concerned they're not eligible for lottery prize

WRAL's 5 On Your Side is getting many questions from vaccinated viewers asking if they are eligible and how they can verify their name is included.

When you’re talking about a chance to win a million dollars, some people want a little reassurance.

"Can you show us some proof that we’re in there? I think a lot of people would like to know that they’re in there," said Pamala Williams of Angier.

Williams became even more concerned after calling the Department of Health and Human Services, who said she was not eligible because she got her shot at Walgreens.

Pennington said the state does not list names in the portal of those vaccinated through federal programs, which include Walgreens, CVS, nursing homes or Veteran’s Administration facilities. That means there’s no way for anyone in those groups to verify their name is included in the drawing.

All vaccine providers enter the information in the state portal. Both CVS and Walgreens confirmed they report all doses administered to the State Immunization registries and the CDC.

Williams is still skeptical.

"Maybe that’s true, and I hope that it is, but how can we be sure?" she asked.

The state asks that people have more trust in the system. Monday’s announcement of the million dollar winner should help those concerned, Shelly Wyramon was vaccinated at Walgreens.

Just last week, the state opened up the vaccine lottery to people who were vaccinated through the Veteran Affairs and by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. If someone got vaccinated on a military base in North Carolina, they would only be eligible if they got their shot from Veteran Affairs.

First $1M vaccination winner selected, but name won't be revealed for days

Officials said it takes three to four days for the vaccination information to appear in the state portal. The next drawing will take place on July 7, but if you want to enter the lottery, you should get your shot a couple days before then.

The winner is chosen via a random number generator at the North Carolina Education Lottery, and the state Department of Health and Human Services will determine whose vaccination record in the state database corresponds with the number that was generated.

North Carolina set up the incentive program to boost coronavirus vaccination rates. Anyone 18 or older who has received at least one shot of vaccine is eligible, and people who got the shot on or after June 10 got entered twice.

There were 4.9 million entries for the $1 million prize and 348,000 entries for the scholarship.