Trenton Health Team and Young Audiences have teamed to create videos featuring a hip hop dance group and bilingual musicians talking about why they decided to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and sharing other health safety tips.
The videos aim to provide vaccine facts in a light-hearted, entertaining format geared to youth, urging viewers to wear masks indoors, wash hands with soap and talk with their families about getting vaccinated. Videos are being shared with Trenton Public Schools for classroom use and posted on the THT website. They include:
- 123 Andrés (en español): 123 Andrés, ganadores del Grammy Latino comparten lo importante y fácil que es obtener la Vacuna contra el Covid para niños/as de 5 a 12 años; prestando éste servicio público de manera divertida para todas las edades.
- 123 Andrés (English): A public service announcement about the importance and ease of getting the COVID vaccine for ages 5-12 with Latin Grammy winners 123 Andrés.
- Hip Hop Fundamentals: A hip hop public service announcement about the importance and ease of getting the COVID vaccine for elementary and middle school students in Trenton.
“Everyone is tired of hearing about COVID-19, but getting vaccinated is more important than ever,” said THT executive director Gregory Paulson. “Sharing important information in a fun, entertaining way will help encourage more families to protect themselves from serious illness with a vaccine or booster shot.”
The video project, featuring YA roster artists Hip Hop Fundamentals, and 123 Andrés, were produced with support from the state Department of Health and the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.
“We care about the health of students. We know the arts can be a powerful part of the solution.” said Young Audiences president and CEO Michele Russo. “We wanted to help students understand the benefits of being vaccinated so they can be informed and feel empowered, not afraid.”
For Latin Grammy-winning 123 Andrés, this project is part of their mission.
“As a family of musicians and artists, the wellbeing of children is one of our pillars,” says Andrés Salguero. “That means making music that helps them learn, but also anything we can do to help them be safe.”
Christina Sanabria agreed. “We want every student to be healthy and protected from illnesses including COVID-19, so it’s an honor to get to use our voice and our work as artists to tell Trenton students about the vaccine,” she said. “Our goal is to do it in a way that’s dynamic and fun.”
The videos run less than 3 minutes and discuss the benefits of being vaccinated. Salguero even gets vaccinated on camera, declaring “That’s it? I didn’t cry!” in English and Spanish-language videos.
Risk of COVID-19 infection is severe in Mercer County, according to CovidActNow, with about 324 new cases daily per 100,000 population as of Jan. 12.
Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available free at pharmacies and other walkup locations across Trenton for ages 5 and older, and free booster shots are recommended for everyone age 12 and older. No insurance or proof of citizenship status aree required. Find a vaccine location here.
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