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Video and Podcast Contest Aims to Raise COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Throughout New Jersey Colleges and Universities

The Step Up Vax Up Contest, Sponsored by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, is Offering Cash Prizes to Promote COVID-19 Education through Digital Content Creation

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health, recently announced the launch of the Step Up Vax Up video and podcast contest. The contest challenges New Jersey college students to raise COVID-19 vaccine awareness and promote overall campus health and wellness.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and enjoy the campus experience as a community,” said Dr. Tina Tan, State Epidemiologist and Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. “The Step Up Vax Up contest allows students to be creative as they promote credible vaccine information and keep their campus healthy.”

Starting today, students enrolled in a New Jersey college or university can participate in the contest by submitting digital content in the form of a video or podcast that highlights health equity across campus and the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top-rated student submissions for first place, second place, and third place. Five honorable mentions will also be awarded. Faculty and staff are encouraged to support student participation for a chance to receive a School Staff Champion prize.

The submission deadline is April 1, 2022. Additionally, students who submit entries by January 30, 2022, will be entered into random drawings to win prizes courtesy of Step Up Vax Up, event sponsors. Submissions will be accepted electronically at www.stepupvaxup.com/submit.

“As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, younger people have been more hesitant to get vaccinated. Step Up Vax Up provides college students with a collaborative platform to promote COVID-19 education among their peers,” stated Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, President and CEO, of the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey. “We hope that the contest will inspire students to create innovative digital content and encourage others to get vaccinated.”

The top five finalists will be posted on www.stepupvaxup.com for public voting in April. The winners will then be announced and honored at an awards ceremony in May.

Information regarding eligibility, submission guidelines and contest rules can be found at www.stepupvaxup.com/guidelines.