Chickens, cows and an apartment with a million dollars in prizes for those who receive the Corona vaccine in these areas

Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong have offered various free lottery prizes to anyone who receives a vaccination against the Corona virus, and can win valuable things, including vacations to rest and an apartment worth up to one million dollars.

Authorities have launched raffle prizes to encourage vaccination after the emergence of new, rapidly spreading strains of the coronavirus, which led to a spike in cases in Southeast Asia in the past few weeks.

In Mae Chaim district in the northern province of Chiang Mai, a province inhabited mostly by cattle herders, this month the authorities began holding a lottery to win a cow, which was a resounding success.

"This is the best prize ever," said Enkham Thongkham, 65, who won a one-year-old cow worth 10,000 baht ($320) after being vaccinated.

The authorities said the campaign, which entered its second week and rewarded 27 cows, prompted more than 50 percent of the county's residents, most of whom are elderly and at risk of contracting the virus, to register for vaccination.

In Hong Kong, which has so far largely controlled the epidemic, local authorities fear that low vaccination rates could expose the city to a major outbreak.

Among the incentives offered in the Hong Kong lottery for those to receive the vaccine are vouchers, flights and a new apartment worth 10.8 million Hong Kong dollars (1.4 million US dollars).

And some companies are taking additional steps, offering paid leave for vaccinates.

One private sports club uses punishment instead of rewards, as it asks its employees to receive the vaccination before the end of June, otherwise they will be denied bonuses, promotions and salary increases in the future.

Even in countries hard hit by the pandemic, such as Indonesia, authorities are struggling to allay fears about vaccines.

Cipanas authorities on the island of West Java said that convincing the elderly that vaccines are safe and halal is especially difficult, and resorted to giving a live chicken to those who receive a dose of vaccine from the elderly.

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