In Moscow, You Can Win a Free Car If You Take the COVID-19 Vaccine

Governments all over the world are doing everything they can to get their people vaccinated.

After all, the more residents are vaccinated, the harder it’ll be for the coronavirus to find its way around.

Given how life has been for the last year and a half, you’d expect residents to jump at the chance to get protection against this detected disease.

But some people still have their reservations about the vaccine, for a number of reasons.

Here in Singapore, the government has encouraged residents to get vaccinated by making the process easy for seniors and giving out free face masks and hand sanitiser.

But in Moscow, they’re going one step further.

In Moscow, You Can Win a Free Car If You Take the COVID-19 Vaccine

What’s the best way to motivate people to get vaccinated? Tell them about the benefits and inform them of their social responsibility?

Nope. Just give away a free car. 

At least that’s what Moscow, the capital of Russia, is doing in an attempt to speed up its vaccination rate.

On Sunday (13 June), Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that the city would give away free cars in a prize draw for residents who get a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He noted how few residents have turned up to get vaccinated, which is likely why the prize draw was launched.

In fact, only 1.3 million out of a population of more than 12 million have received at least one dose, as of 21 May.

But with a promise of a new car, that figure could soon soar.

Now, anyone over 18 who receives the first of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine from 14 Jun until 11 Jul will be automatically entered into a draw to win a car.

Believe it or not, five cars worth 1 million roubles (around S$18,400) each will be given away every week.

If you’re hoping that Singapore does something similar, you’re probably forgetting about the COE.

Russia Vaccine Registered in 65 Countries

Sputnik V, Russia’s proprietary vaccine, has been registered in more than 65 countries, but approved in few.

Emergency use has been authorised in countries such as Belarus, Argentina, India, Serbia, and Mexico, to name a few.

However, it has not been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) nor the Singapore authorities.

But it may not be long before more countries include it in their vaccine portfolio.

A late-stage clinical trial has shown that Sputnik V vaccine was 91.6% effective in preventing people from developing COVID-19.

And given how vaccine supplies are constrained, another effective vaccine may just help speed up the global vaccination drive.

Featured Image: Steve Heap/ Shutterstock.com