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Time running out for UCF students to enter to win incentives for getting COVID-19 vaccine

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Time is almost up for University of Central Florida students to get a chance to win thousands of dollars for getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

The university is offering up prizes through its “Armor Up and Win” campaign to try and encourage its thousands of students to get the shot.

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Students can score everything from school supplies and computers to up to $5,000 towards their tuition if they roll up their sleeves and get “vacci-knighted.”

“I think that is a great incentive to get people vaccinated,” said UCF student Tatiana Simmons.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order preventing the school from making vaccines mandatory for all students.

The raffle is UCF’s way of easing concerns some students, staff and faculty members might have about their safety and health, and persuading more students to get the shot.

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According to UCF officials, about 76% of students randomly surveyed during the first week of class had at least one dose and about 66% were fully vaccinated.

The latest stats as of Sept. 18 show more than 2,000 students have tested positive for COVID-19.

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The next raffle is on Thursday, which means students have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday night Sept 29 to submit their vaccination cards.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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