To encourage more New Mexico State University system students and employees to become vaccinated against COVID-19, NMSU has announced a new sweepstakes open to all students, faculty and staff who have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
The launch of the sweepstakes follows announcements last week that all NMSU system students and employees will be will need to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September or undergo weekly testing. NMSU is also requiring masks indoors, as well as other COVID-safe practices for anyone on its campuses, regardless of vaccination status.
Vaccinated students and employees from any NMSU system location can enter Pete’s Vax Sweepstakes online at https://now.nmsu.edu/vax/index.html until 6 p.m. Sept. 7, 2021. Prizes include either a pair of El Paso Chihuahuas tickets with a VIP experience or a pair of tickets to a New Mexico State Athletics event. A total of 120 vaccinated winners will receive game tickets, while another 20 runners up will receive an Aggie swag bag.
“This is a great time to get vaccinated, if you’re not already,” said NMSU Vice Chancellor and Chief COVID-19 Officer Ruth A. Johnston. “With the opportunity to win Chihuahuas or Aggies tickets, plus the state’s $100 incentive running through the end of August, you can have some fun while also taking an important and needed step toward helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. It’s a win-win.”
Drawings for Pete’s Vax Sweepstakes will be held and winners will be notified on Sept. 8. Winners will have seven days from notification to pick up prizes. To qualify for a prize, selected winners must be at least 18 years of age, must be NMSU system faculty, staff or student, and must provide proof they have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Pete’s Vax Sweepstakes is part of the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, as the NMSU system joins hundreds of other higher education institutions nationwide in encouraging and incentivizing vaccination for students and employees. The launch of the sweepstakes coincides with the “week of action” declared by the White House to help push more young people to become vaccinated.
The Aggie Health and Wellness Center, in collaboration with FEMA, will host COVID-19 vaccination clinics from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 to 19 in Corbett Center Student Union’s Aggie Lounge on the Las Cruces campus. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson and two-dose Pfizer vaccines will be available free of charge. For more information, call the Aggie Health and Wellness Center pharmacy at 575-646-8302.
More information about Pete’s Vax Sweepstakes is available at https://now.nmsu.edu/vax/index.html.