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First $1,000 GrandVAX award announced

Photo provided to the Times Observer Jim Decker, WCDA president/CEO, presents Sandra Stanton with the first GrandVAX giveaway drawing as part of the WarrenVAX effort.

The first of three $1,000 prize drawings has been held in the GrandVAX giveaway.

WarrenVAX, a collaboration between the Warren County Development Association, Warren General Hospital and community leaders, has planned three drawings as part of a county-wide effort to boost COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

The first drawing winner is Sandra Stanton of Warren.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this contest,” Stanton said. “I think this is a wonderful effort and truly hope it leads to more folks getting vaccinated.”

The first drawing was held on March 7 with the two to follow set for April 4 and May 2.

From Feb. 1 through April 30, citizens who’ve received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine can go to www.warrenvax.com and fill out the appropriate form to enter. Participants must be fully vaccinated according to the vaccine they choose before collecting their prize.

“It’s great to see so many folks participate in this effort,” said Jim Decker, president/CEO of the Warren County Development Association, “and we’re excited to see the numbers of vaccinated citizen(s) climbing.”

A statement from the WarrenVAX team highlights a 6 percent increase in vaccination rates — 42 percent to 48 percent — since the start of the effort in mid-December.

“Since the beginning of the GrandVAX Giveaway, new donors have come on board to support the effort by providing an additional $5000 in funding which will be used for a new GrandVAX Giveaway in August and September to bolster the incentives to get vaccinated and boosted during the next fall and winter flu season,” according to a statement.

“There are many positive efforts we’re engaging in to ensure the community can return to normal and remain that way despite any variants that crop up in the next year,” Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said. “We’re excited about the additional funding and the support of our many community and business organizations we’ve received in the past couple of months.”

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