MARQUETTE — For the first time, all Upper Peninsula universities and colleges will participate in the annual “Fight the Flu” competition hosted by the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health.

Now in its third year, the contest determines which school can get the highest percentage of students, staff and faculty vaccinated against the flu.

“I am extremely excited and grateful to all of the U.P. colleges and universities for joining in this year’s flu shot competition,” said Elise Bur, director of the NMU Center for Rural Health, in a news release. “My hope is this will continue as a united effort annually. This prevention effort not only contributes to keeping our campus populations healthy but also sets an example for communities throughout our region.”

For students, faculty and staff at NMU, Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University, those who participate in campus-sponsored flu shot events are not required to self-report. These schools will provide the number of vaccinations distributed in totality after each event throughout the competition. Individuals who go to an outpatient clinic or another place providing flu vaccines can anonymously self-report through the “Compete Now” button on the website.

A leaderboard will be updated accordingly to reflect the current standings. The winning school will receive the traveling trophy to display over the next year.

Find the leaderboard and more information at https://nmu.edu/ruralhealth/fight-the-flu.