NEWS&BRIEFS- Save Summer 2021

UM-Flint student promotes COVID vaccines to “Save Summer 2021”

Students have big ideas at UM-Flint. Sophomore Christina El Zarka’s big idea came after a conversation with friends. Many of them weren’t planning on being vaccinated for COVID-19. She found that surprising (and upsetting), so she created an Instagram poll to survey more people in her network about their vaccination plans. The results mirrored her first conversation: 44% of the 400 respondents didn’t intend to receive a vaccination either. This resistance toward the COVID-19 vaccine and the misinformation prevalent among her peer group motivated El Zarka to create Save Summer 2021, a viral video and social media movement promoting coronavirus vaccination among young people.

“I know a lot of people my age are sick and tired of being at home. We want to have in-person classes. We want to go out and go to concerts,” said El Zarka, who is a member of UM-Flint’s Entrepreneurs Society. She saw the existing messaging around the vaccine not resonating strongly with her demographic and took a new approach. This campaign approaches vaccines from a new angle, highlighting the rewards that can come from being vaccinated.

El Zarka’s viral campaign utilizes social media influencers to amplify her public health message. Personalities like @smilelikechad, a US Air Force dentist with more than 20,000 Instagram followers, have reposted the video. College students from across the country are also taking part in the “Shoot Your Shot” challenge, where they post their perspectives on getting the vaccine and nominate others to do the same.

Christina El Zarka, a member of the Entrepreneurs Society, is the creator of Save Summer 2021. This public health social media campaign encourages vaccination among teens and young adults.

The campaign offers more than influencers and social media challenges, however. The Save Summer 2021 facts page draws directly from the CDC and includes videos featuring Dr. Fauci debunking vaccine conspiracies. This commitment to sharing facts-based information has earned the campaign endorsements from the Genesee County Health Commission.

A biology major with plans on medical school, El Zarka is minoring in business and part of UM-Flint’s Entrepreneurs Society, an award-winning group that fosters innovative business thinking in students and throughout the community. The group is advised by Michael Witt, PharmD, JD, a lecturer in management studies. Witt’s broad expertise has been invaluable to El Zarka, both in the Save Summer 2021 initiative and planning for her future as a business-minded health professional. She considers him a valuable mentor, and Witt sees mentoring students as among the most rewarding activities he can do as an educator.

“Learning to evaluate critically, to think deeply and objectively, to read broadly and carefully, and to be open and introspective are all hallmarks of a proper education,” said Witt. “It is deeply rewarding to be able to work with such fine students as are here at our university and makes life worthwhile.” Christina El Zarka, a member of the Entrepreneurs Society, is the creator of Save Summer 2021. This public health social media campaign encourages vaccination among teens and young adults.