There are just under three weeks left for students and employees to enter the Rocket Vaccine Incentive Program by uploading proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
The grand prize drawing for a pair of $2,000 prepaid gift cards — one going to an employee, the other to a student — will take place Thursday, Oct. 7.
Jason Trouten, a recent transfer student into the UToledo College of Engineering, won a Level A parking pass for the year. “I got vaccinated because it seemed like the responsible thing to do,” he said.
The deadline to enter the drawing is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Employees and students can share their proof of vaccination through the University’s secure vaccine registry portal.
Among the prizes previous winners have taken home are smart TVs, gift cards, dining dollars, parking passes, laptop computers and suite tickets to the Nov. 27 football game against Akron.
Dr. Jeanne Kusina, Distinguished University Lecturer in the UToledo Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, who won an iPad earlier this month, said she was grateful for the opportunity to be vaccinated.
“I felt privileged to receive a vaccine when I know that not everyone around the globe has access to them, and I appreciate all The University of Toledo has done to make vaccines available to our community,” she said.
Dr. David Kujawa, assistant dean for clinical affairs and clinical assistant professor in the UToledo College of Health and Human Services and physical therapist at The University of Toledo Medical Center, who won a $250 prepaid gift card, felt it was his duty to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I chose to get vaccinated because I saw it as my responsibility to do what was needed to best protect my family members, the students I teach, the patients that I see at UTMC, my coworkers and myself from COVID,” Kujawa said.
Jason Trouten, a recent transfer student into the UToledo College of Engineering, won a Level A parking pass for the year.
“I got vaccinated because it seemed like the responsible thing to do,” he said. “I figured it was the least I could do to help people who are at a higher risk for a serious illness than myself.”
Dr. Jeanne Kusina, Distinguished University Lecturer in the UToledo Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, won an iPad through the Rocket Vaccine Incentive Program.
In addition to the grand prize drawing, weekly drawings also will take place on Thursday, Sept. 23, Thursday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 7.
Remaining prizes include Bose wireless headphones, a pair of Sony PlayStations, 43-inch smart TVs and a private showing at the Ritter Planetarium. A full list of prizes is available on the Rocket VIP website.
As the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in Ohio and across the country, getting vaccinated remains the best defense against serious illness from the virus.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, COVID-19 led to 7,547 deaths and 24,335 hospitalizations among patients who were not fully vaccinated from Jan. 1 to Sept. 15. Among COVID-19 patients who were fully vaccinated, there were 97 deaths and 744 hospitalizations in the same period.
All UToledo students and employees must upload proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption for medical reasons or sincerely held philosophical or religious beliefs before Nov. 15 to comply with the University’s vaccine requirement.
Having all members of the UToledo community report their vaccination status or submit an approved exemption will give the University accurate data on the vaccination rate within our campus community and help to inform our public health practices to keep our campus safe.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available on campus weekdays for free and without an appointment needed. For more information about clinic hours and locations, visit the University’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
