WORCESTER (CBS) – Antonia Porcalatis admits it took a bit of conviction to finally get the vaccine.

“Stories of sick people and people who died from the gunshot. But this is all just a myth, ”Procalatis said.

READ MORE: White supremacist stickers found on cars participating in the Black & Brown owned business market in Haverhill

She took advantage of a free COVID clinic offered in the city of Worcester and now plans to take advantage of the state’s new vaccine lottery.

“As soon as I get home,” Porcalatis said when asked if she would sign up now.

Thursday is the first day that fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts can go to a new website and enter for a chance to win a million dollars. It’s a bit of a gimmick for some people.

“It’s a shame it has to come to this, pay you to protect yourself,” said Richard Gonzalez outside the Worcester clinic.

But Andrea Sivakova, a clinic volunteer and EMT, sees it as a great incentive.

“We have organized a bunch of immunization clinics and we don’t see that many numbers. So if that helps then definitely recommend it, ”she said.

READ MORE: Six Flags New England set to reopen Friday after storm clean-up

In Worcester, at least 40 percent of residents have not been vaccinated, a much lower number in black and Latino communities.

City leaders have launched a new push.

“We are not done with the coronavirus and the coronavirus is not done with us,” said Edward Augustus, director of the city of Worcester.

Officials are particularly concerned about the new delta variant among the unvaccinated because they say it is highly transmissible.

It takes a lottery to spark interest Dr. Michael Hirsh of UMass Medical Center says any port is in the middle of a storm.

“If we can get someone more interested in immunization by holding out the possibility of a million dollar prize, then I totally agree,” said Dr Hirsh.

There will be five million dollars worth of drawings for those aged 18 and over and five scholarships of $ 300,000 for those aged 12 to 17.

NO MORE NEWS: Rabbi stabbed outside Shaloh House synagogue in Brighton

The first draw is July 26 and registrations are open until July 22.