MYNORTHWEST NEWS

King County motorcycle mechanic wins $1 million vaccine lottery prize

Jul 16, 2021, 12:28 PM | Updated: 12:59 pm

Vaccine lottery...

Gov. Jay Inslee, right, presents Kameron M. with a check for $1 million. (TVW)

(TVW)

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the winner of the final “Shot of a Lifetime” vaccine lottery prize on Friday, presenting King County motorcycle mechanic Kameron M. with a check for $1 million.

Kameron — who noted that he hadn’t actually known about the state’s ongoing vaccine lottery prior to winning the $1 million grand prize — found out he won through his mother, due to a setting in his phone that blocks calls from unknown numbers.

Ross: Washington finally has a vaccine lottery!

“They got in contact with my mother and pushed forward to try and get a hold of me,” he described. “My mom told me about it — I thought it was a scam. She called me back and said, ‘I think it’s real.'”

“I guess we should all listen to our mother,” Gov. Inslee joked, going on to praise Kameron for “doing a public service” by getting vaccinated.

“He’s getting a $1 million check, but he’s done something for the state of Washington himself,” Inslee added.

With the “Shot of a Lifetime” contest now having come to an end, the governor said that there are no current plans for another similar contest in the near future. That said, he also lauded it for the “positive impact” it had on helping stabilize vaccination rates following a period where they had begun to decline “precipitously.”

In total, the state Department of Health estimates that between June 3 and June 22, roughly 28,500 more people received their first dose as a result of the lottery, marking a 24% increase from a scenario where the state hadn’t done the lottery at all.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

50 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

2 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

4 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

7 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

8 hours ago

King County motorcycle mechanic wins $1 million vaccine lottery prize