NEWARK, NJ (Oct. 1, 2024) – As students across New Jersey return to school and flu season approaches, the growing likelihood of seasonal illnesses highlights the urgent need for vaccine awareness statewide. Now in its thirteenth year, the Protect Me With 3+ vaccine awareness contest is officially open for poster and video submissions from New Jersey middle and high school students. Entries are accepted until Feb. 28, 2025.

This contest invites students to engage creatively, using art to illustrate the important role of vaccination in achieving the highest level of community protection. Protect Me With 3+ is a collaboration between the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey (Partnership) and the New Jersey Department of Health.

“This contest aims to inspire adolescents to explore their creativity through health education and advocate for vaccines in a fun, creative, and engaging way,” said Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, MA, BSN, President & CEO of the Partnership. “Student engagement is vital to foster peer learning about the power of vaccines in protecting public health.”

Students in grades 5–12 are encouraged to design an 8.5×11 poster (by hand or digitally) or create a :30 second video for an opportunity to win a $50-175 gift card. Artwork must feature educational information about one of the following vaccines: COVID-19; Flu; Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Meningococcal ACWY (Men-ACWY); and Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap). Full details and examples of past winners’ artwork are available at protectmewith3.com.

With the start of the school year and the onset of changing weather, an increase in seasonal illnesses is anticipated, emphasizing the importance and timeliness of student vaccinations. Vaccines are the safest and most effective tool to help prevent serious symptoms and complications caused by many common infectious illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations from birth through adulthood to provide a lifetime of protection against many diseases and infections.

“Raising vaccine awareness among student populations is essential. The Protect Me With 3+ contest sparks creativity while motivating youth to take an active role in protecting their health and their communities,” said Dr. Tina Tan, Assistant Commissioner and State Epidemiologist, New Jersey Department of Health. “Adolescents and young adults are also vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. Contest engagement helps educate about public health risks and the importance of prevention through vaccination.”

Digital entries can be submitted here. Hand-drawn posters can be mailed to:

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey
50 Park Place
Suite 700
Newark, NJ 07102

Three teachers whose classes submit the most submissions will be eligible to win $75 each. Submissions entered before Jan. 31, 2025, will be eligible for an early bird prize of $20. Three early bird winners will be randomly selected.

Finalists will be selected in March 2025; an award celebration in May 2025 will honor winners and participants.