Sometimes it takes a stroke of artistic genius to inspire people to action. That’s why CCHCS turned to incarcerated artists to create this year’s influenza vaccine awareness posters.
Jorge Godoy at California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC) designed the 2025 winning poster. It features a colorful image of a nurse surrounded by the symptoms of the flu virus.
“We are delighted that Jorge Godoy’s exceptional talent was recognized,” said Shauna Breazeal, director of Nursing at LAC.
Nearly half of all Californians and nearly half of all Americans get the flu vaccine on an annual basis, according to the California Department of Public Health. But those numbers dip inside California prisons. Statewide, 35 percent of incarcerated people received a flu shot in 2024-25 season. Efforts like this contest are geared toward spreading the word and pushing those numbers higher.
“We are hopeful that the campaign has piqued interest in conversations surrounding vaccines that will contribute to better patient outcomes,” Breazeal said.
The call went out to every institution in May for poster design submissions. Staff helped spread the word to incarcerated individuals to submit their own original artwork promoting the importance of flu vaccinations. Artists worked from one of two slogans: “Be Wise, Immunize” or “Stop the Flu, It Starts With You!”
Participating institutions held their own contests and chose one winning poster to move on to the statewide competition. The CCHCS headquarters leadership team then voted on the winning poster from more than two-dozen submissions while selecting six more as honorable mentions.
The contest was organized by the CCHCS Public Health/Infection Prevention Program with assistance from CCHCS Communications to boost awareness of the vaccine.
Getting a flu vaccine has its benefits, according to the California Department of Public Health:
- Flu vaccines lower chances of illness and hospitalization.
- Flu vaccines lower the risk of serious flu complications, especially among older adults or those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines such as COVID-19, and RSV. It is safe, effective, and convenient to get these vaccines at the same time.
The 2025 Flu Poster Contest winner is Jorge Godoy from LAC.
Honorable mentions:
- Paul Denham, California Institution for Men
- Alex Lorenzana, Avenal State Prison
- Emilio Orozco, Valley State Prison
- Robert Rodriguez, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
- Erick Maciel, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
- Thomas Simmons, California Health Care Facility
Submitted by Kyle Buis, Information Officer I (Specialist), CCHCS
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