Video Games and Vaccinations
Inspired by the colorful poster of a teen boy holding an oversized vaccine syringe under the heading “Be a community hero!,” a curious young man entered the Spy Hop Productions digital media arts center in Salt Lake City, Utah, to look around. The center was hosting a block party and offering the public an opportunity to engage with the newly launched, student-led Vax2theMax 2.0. This campaign included creative posters, a “Pathogens” video game, and screening of a public service announcement (PSA) alongside free food, health resources, and COVID-19 vaccinations. The young man, who was unhoused, began to ask about the posters and other vaccination materials. After speaking with nurses and Spy Hop Productions staff, he felt comfortable about receiving his vaccine and explained that he did not know vaccination was free. “There is often a high volume of unhoused community members that participate in the block party’s services and resources,” said Meghan Higgins, development coordinator. “It was inspiring for those at the event to learn that the vaccination services helped protect someone…something that many of us hope can be accessed by additional communities disproportionately affected.”
Funding for this effort is made possible through a subaward from the CDC Foundation and is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) financial assistance award totaling $2,500,000.00 with 100 percent funding from CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.
