Vaccine Preventable Disease Program

The NJ College & University Flu Challenge is an initiative of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program (VPDP).

Learn more about VPDP

New Jersey College & University Flu Challenge

The New Jersey College & University Flu Challenge is an initiative that teams the New Jersey Department of Health with colleges and universities in the state to improve flu vaccination rates among students. Young adults have been shown to have lower flu immunization coverage rates as compared to other age groups. In addition, college campuses have many communal settings, which make it easier for the flu to spread. If a college student gets the flu, they can experience illness for eight or more days, causing them to miss classes and other events. Those reasons make it extremely important to bring added awareness to the benefits of vaccination.

The challenge encourages friendly competition between institutions to determine which campus can achieve the highest flu vaccination rates. Each participating institution develops and implements a unique influenza campaign to fit the needs of the student body. Flu vaccination coverage is measured by a short student self-reported survey. By participating in the challenge, institutions receive access to educational resources, an award of participation, and a chance to win the traveling trophy for the year.

Resources
Announcement of 2022 Challenge Winner

For the 2021-2022 flu season, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Vaccine Preventable Disease Program (VPDP) continued the fifth annual New Jersey College & University Flu Challenge.

The winners of the Challenge were determined based on the highest percentage of students self-reporting that they received the flu vaccine for the current flu season. We are happy to announce the winners of this year’s Challenge: The College of New Jersey (large schools), Seton Hall University (medium schools), and Centenary University (small schools).

Congratulations to all the participants! If your school is interested in participating in the 2023 Flu Challenge, please click the button to the right to enroll. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program by calling 609-826-4861, or via email at HigherEdVax@doh.nj.gov.

Flu Challenge Participants & Winner by Year
Last Reviewed: 9/12/2022