FAQs

West Virginia Vaccine Sweepstakes
“Do it for Babydog: Save a Life. Change Your Life.”

Frequently Asked Questions

November 9, 2021

From November 9, 2021, through December 5, 2021, at 11:59:59 PM EST, eligible, vaccinated West Virginians may enter West Virginia’s, “Do it for Babydog: Save a Life. Change Your Life.” Vaccine Sweepstakes.

This document is meant to address questions that may arise regarding eligibility, prizes available, and other matters relating to the West Virginia Vaccine Sweepstakes in order to incentivize West Virginians to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

1. Who is eligible?

West Virginia residents, 5 through 18 years of age who:

  • Have received at least your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine which requires a two-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or the one dose required for a single-dose vaccination, such as Johnson & Johnson
  • Have received your vaccine from a source that West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is able to verify
  • Are not incarcerated in jail or prison
  • Are not an employee of the West Virginia Lottery or the Office of the Governor
  • Did not win any prize in Round 1 or 2 of the “Do it for Babydog: Save a Life. Change Your Life.” Vaccine Sweepstakes.

Also, to be eligible to win a prize through the West Virginia Vaccine Sweepstakes, parents or legal guardians of children 5-17 must register the minor participant for the drawing at DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov and individuals who are 18 years of age may register themselves at DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov, by the deadline for registration prior to the next drawing (the deadline for the first drawing is 11:59 PM on November 14, 2021, for the first week’s drawing/announcement of prize winners). Receipt of a vaccination alone does not automatically enter or register you or your child for the vaccination sweepstakes.

2. How do I register my child (ages 5-17), or myself (age 18)?

To register, go online at DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov, and complete the application with complete and accurate information.

If you cannot access DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov, you may call the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-833-734-0965. The Info Line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Can I complete the registration if I am unable to access DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov?

If you cannot access DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov, you may call the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-833-734-0965 to register. The Info Line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. What are the prizes?

Weekly Prizes:

  • 25 $10,000 Educational Savings Funds
    • Money will be placed in a 529 account, managed by the State Treasurer’s Office which may be used for eligible educational expenses.
  • 100 lifetime hunting and fishing licenses per week

Grand Prizes:

  • For weeks 1-3:
    • 1 $50,000 Educational Savings Fund, placed in a 529 account, managed by the State Treasurer’s Office which may be used for eligible educational expenses.
  • For Week 4:
    • 1 $100,000 Educational Savings Fund, placed in a 529 account managed by the State Treasurer’s Office which may be used for eligible educational expenses.

5. Can I opt out of certain prizes?

Yes, one may opt out of certain prizes by not selecting certain prizes during the registration process.

6. When are the drawings?

There will be four drawings in total. The tentative schedule of drawings and deadlines for entry are listed below*:

Registration Deadline Drawing Date Announcement Date
November 14, 2021 11:59PM EST November 15, 2021 During the Week of November 15
November 21, 2021 11:59PM EST November 22, 2021 During the Week of November 22
November 28, 2021 11:59PM EST November 29, 2021 During the Week of November 29
December 5, 2021 11:59PM EST December 6, 2021 During the Week of December 6
*Dates are subject to change; reasonable notice will be provided

To be eligible for an upcoming drawing, entrants must be registered by 11:59 PM EST on the deadline dates listed above.

7. Do I need to register for every drawing separately?

A single entry will make you eligible for all subsequent drawings: there is no need to re-enter for each subsequent drawing.

8. Can I win more than once?

No, no person may win more than one prize. Winners’ names will be removed from the pool of entrants for subsequent drawings.

9. How do I claim my prize?

Winners will be contacted by the State of West Virginia and may be provided with additional requests for information necessary to claim a prize. Verification of all requested information must be presented to claim any prize.

If an entry is deemed invalid, a discrepancy is found, or the winner cannot be timely located based upon the contact information submitted, an alternate shall be used in place of the ineligible or unlocatable winner.

10. How is the drawing done? Is it random?

The winners of the drawings for individual prizes will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries received. Then, subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the potential winners drawn and verified will be declared the official winners of the West Virginia Vaccine Sweepstakes drawings. The drawings will be observed by representatives from an independent third-party auditing firm.

11. Will I have to pay any taxes if I win a prize?

The prize winner may be responsible for applicable Federal, State and Local taxes. Applicable tax forms will be issued by the State of West Virginia to each winner or their parent or guardian, as applicable.