Local businesses have added a new twist to the state’s sweepstakes that aims to encourage more Hawaii residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by rewarding prizes. The new contest component is called “Vax Da Max” and will give out prizes to people who get vaccinated beginning today.

The original #HIGotVaccinated campaign applies to all residents who have received the shots, so the Vax Da Max contest shrinks the pool of contestants who are eligible to win considerably.

Rewards include $500 prize packs from McDonald’s and $125 prize packs from Papa Johns Pizza. Prizes will be awarded as milestones are reached for the number of new people vaccinated.

The contest will culminate with a trip to San Francisco for the 10,000th person to initiate vaccination. The trip includes round-trip air fare for two on Alaska Airlines, two nights at the Handerly Union Square Hotel, and tickets for two San Francisco Giants’ home games.

Residents can enter to win by clicking on the Vax Da Max section of the HIGotVaccinated.com web page. Registering for Vax Da Max will automatically enter the participant into the HIGotVaccinated.com Hana Hou Round 2 contest.

The added incentives come as the delta variant of the coronavirus causes a surge in cases throughout the islands, threatening the capacity of hospitals to handle an influx of patients. At the same time, the state’s rate of vaccination has slowed markedly, from a high of about 70,000 a week in May to less than 8,000 a week more recently.