Kroger is giving people that get vaccinated for COVID-19 at its stores a chance to win $1 million or get free groceries for a year

• Kroger is launching a giveaway for individuals who get their COVID-19 vaccine at Kroger Health.
• Five winners will receive $1 million, and 50 others will get free groceries for one year.
• The grocer joins a growing list of companies trying to incentivize both customers and employees to get vaccinated.

Kroger is offering $1 million payouts and free groceries for one year to individuals who get their COVID-19 vaccines at its stores.

The Community Immunity giveaway campaign, announced on Thursday, kicks off on June 3.

Over the course of five weeks, five individuals, including the stores' customers and associates, will win $1 million. Separately, 50 more people that enter will be awarded free groceries for a year.

The grocer had previously offered a one-time $100 payment to employees for getting the vaccine.

"The faster we reach community immunity, the sooner we can all get back to enjoying backyard barbecues, live music and gathering for special occasions," Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, said in a press release on Thursday.

The retailer's website confirms that individuals who have already gotten the vaccine at Kroger Health are eligible to enter the sweepstakes. Further details regarding the campaign will be released next week.

Kroger is the latest company to try and incentivize both customers and employees to get the vaccine. Target, Dollar General, Krispy Kreme and several US states, including New York and California, have offered prizes and gifts for those who get vaccinated. US COVID-19 cases neared a pandemic low over the Memorial Day weekend, as federal health officials said more than half of all adults in the country have been fully vaccinated for the disease.

The Ohio-based retailer launched the sweepstakes in collaboration with the administration of President Joe Biden after it announced its goal to have at least 70% of Americans partially vaccinated by July 4.

"We greatly appreciate President Joe Biden's leadership and partnership with the private sector to increase vaccinations among the US population, especially people of color and individuals under age 30. As an employer, grocery provider, and community partner, the #CommunityImmunity giveaway is another way we are doing our part to help America recover from the public health crisis and safely return to normal," McMullen wrote.

Kroger said it has distributed 4.6 million vaccines during the pandemic.

More recently in May, the grocery chain joined companies like Costco and Target in removing its in-store mask mandate for fully vaccinated customers and workers unless otherwise required by state or local rules. Kroger still, however, requires pharmacy and clinic employees to wear masks.