Global youth competition on influenza and COVID-19 prevention and control

 

WHO announced the winners and finalists of the first Global Youth Competition on Influenza and COVID-19 Prevention and Control during the EPI WIN on influenza and COVID-19 prevention and control on 28 October 2026.

WHO received 178 video submissions from 47 countries, areas and territories, representing all six WHO regions. The WHO judges were impressed by the creativity, dedication and passion demonstrated by young people in promoting respiratory infection prevention and control.

Congratulations to our two winning entries:

• The Butterfly Effect – Yelizaveta Skop, Italy
• Protect Your Circle – Rajlakshmi Kumari, India 

Disclaimer: The videos were developed and submitted by students. Please refer to WHO and national guidelines on the appropriate use of vaccines, antivirals, and Public Health and Social measures (e.g. cleaning hands, physical distancing, wearing masks, ventilation, etc).

We are also pleased to recognize our four finalists:

• Mitos y verdades sobre el COVID-19 y la gripe (Myths and truths about COVID-19 and influenza) – Piquera Giuliana, Cisint Marco, Gramajo Paulina, Nougues Paula, Zerda Jaime and San Millan Ana Lucia, Argentina.
• Small Shot, Big Shield – Dylara Batreisyia Binti Anif Ilman and Beatrice Yeoh Lui Shan, Malaysia.
• The Forwarded Message: How I Changed Uncle's Mind – Egbo Chinwendu Jennifer, Nigeria.
• Check Before You Pass It On – Hasah Alswelm, Saudi Arabia.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! Your contributions demonstrate the power of youth voices, creativity and community engagement in advancing influenza and COVID-19 prevention and control. We encourage all participants to continue advocating for respiratory infection prevention and control and to keep inspiring positive health actions in their communities.

THE COMPETITION IS NOW COMPLETED

WHO invited students and young professionals to participate in this youth competition by developing brief videos that highlight the importance of influenza and/or COVID-19 prevention and control. The videos were encouraged to be innovative, address misinformation/myths, and encourage their community to protect themselves from seasonal influenza and COVID-19.

Competition theme: How do you shield your circle from respiratory infections, like influenza and COVID-19?

Eligibility: Participants must be students or young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35.

Competition Prompts: The submission had to include a brief video that responds to one or more of the following prompts:   

• Prompt 1: Who needs protection from seasonal influenza/COVID-19? How can vulnerable groups protect themselves? Why is it important?  
• Prompt 2: How do you respond to someone who has doubts about influenza and/or COVID-19 prevention and control in your community?   
• Prompt 3: What myths about influenza and/or COVID-19 prevention and control are circulating in your community? How do you address them?   

Instructions for participants: 

• Participants must address at least one of the competition prompts in their video.
• Students can work independently or in teams. 
• Video can be a maximum of 90 seconds (1.5 minutes).
• Students can submit up to three videos. 
• Submitted videos are encouraged to be creative. Video styles can include but are not limited to storytelling, interview, reel, animation, drawings, poem, dialogue, or other creative formats. If AI is used to generate any portion of the submission, it must be acknowledged in the submission form.
• The video may be in any language but must include English subtitles.

 Submissions were assessed on the following criteria:

• Video message aligns with the competition theme and responds to at least one of the competition prompts
• Originality and creativity 
• Accuracy and clarity of health information 
• Visual style and storytelling quality 
• The video should have had English subtitles 
• Responses to the submission form questions including the:
  Motivation/rationale for the video
  Prompts selected and how they were addressed
  Potential impact of the video
  Feasibility for dissemination in the community
  Confirmation that all filmed individuals consented to their appearance in the video and are over the age of 18
  Confirmation that the individuals submitting the video are between the ages of 18-35 years 

Timeline: The competition and the submission form opened on Monday, 3 August 2026. All submissions were received through the designated Microsoft Forms till Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 23:45 CEST. 

Review process: WHO subject matter experts reviewed and assessed the videos using a designated rubric. WHO notified the winner(s) on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.

Winning videos: There were two global winning videos and 4 finalists.