A chance to win: Nunavut community holds raffle for those getting COVID vaccinations

ARVIAT, Nunavut – The Nunavut community hit hardest by COVID-19 is offering cash prizes for people who get vaccinated.

Arviat, a community of about 1,800 people on the western shore of Hudson Bay, had 222 of the territory’s 266 COVID-19 cases.

The hamlet’s office says anyone who gets a shot can have their name entered to win one of five cash prizes of $2,000 each.

A draw is to be held next week over the local radio station.

Arviat is one of the first of Nunavut’s 25 communities to receive doses of the Moderna vaccine, with a community-wide clinic taking place starting Thursday.

Clinics are also taking place this week in Igloolik, Gjoa Haven and Cambridge Bay.

To date, about 400 people in Nunavut have received first doses of the Moderna vaccine.

There are currently no active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2021.