ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced a new Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition and a COVID-19 booster shot action plan.

The plan includes the launch of a $2 million VaxCash 2.0 Promotion, which will award $2 million in cash prizes to a total of 12 Maryland residents who have received their booster shot. The promotion kicks off next Tuesday, February 15, with a special initial drawing of $500,000.

Full details on the VaxCash2.0 promotion can be found online here.

Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition

To continue recognizing Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week, the governor announced the launch of a Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education:

• Students from pre-K through grade 12 are encouraged to submit posters that depict the theme “Celebrating Maryland’s Healthcare Heroes.”
• Winning posters will be selected at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels. Maryland Department of Health Deputy Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan and First Lady Yumi Hogan will serve as judges.
• The winning posters will be displayed at area hospitals, and the winning students will be invited to the State House to receive governor’s citations.
• Students who are interested in participating in the competition are encouraged to talk to their art teacher.

Government House, Stadiums To Be Lit Blue, Marylanders Encouraged to Wear Blue

This Friday, February 11, the Government House, M&T Bank Stadium, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be lit blue to commemorate Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week. The governor is encouraging counties and municipalities to join this commemoration. Marylanders are also encouraged to wear blue on Friday.

Video from Tuesday’s press conference can be viewed below.