Social media platforms are encouraging users aged over 18 to receive a Covid-19 vaccine after all adults in England were invited to register for the vaccination programme.
Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit are introducing a series of features and hosting events and campaigns supporting those over 18-years old to sign up or accept a jab in partnership with the Government.
Despite a ‘Glastonbury-style rush‘ to book vaccines in the weeks since the jabs were made available to younger people, those aged between 16 and 29 still make up the age group with the highest reported levels of vaccine hesitancy in Great Britain, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics.
The Government is hoping the partnership with the social media platforms, which have millions of users in the UK, will help address questions younger people may have about the vaccines and to encourage them to book their jabs.
Snapchat has introduced NHS stickers, a filter and is developing an augmented reality (AR) lens advertising ‘I’ve had my vaccine’ to share across photos and videos, and will be holding Q&A sessions with medical experts on the Prime Minister’s account.
TikTok users will also be able to display NHS stickers on their videos and the platform is planning to continue supporting Team Halo, a group of scientists and healthcare professionals whose Covid-19 information videos have been viewed more than 95m times.
Reddit has been hosting live ‘Ask me anything’ sessions featuring experts including Dr Amalina Bakri, clinical research fellow at Imperial College London, answering questions about the virus and vaccines, while YouTube recently partnered with the NHS on a multi-million pound campaign to persuade young people to “join the millions already vaccinated”.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said he was “delighted” the platforms had collaborated to support the vaccine effort.
“The vaccine programme has put us on the road to recovery and I urge everyone to come forward for the offer, roll up their sleeves and join the millions that already have the fullest possible protection from two doses,” he added.