Photo credit: Australian Government
The next phase of the Australian Government’s Covid-19 vaccination communications campaign launched today (12 September), reminding people that the first thing they need to do is get vaccinated.
With the arrival of millions more vaccines, easier access through an expanded network of GPs and pharmacists, and the opening up of the vaccination program to everyone aged over 12, the campaign marks a major ramp-up of the vaccination program, the Federal Government said in a statement.
The ‘First Things First’ campaign encourages Australians to get vaccinated so they can start enjoying the things they are missing out on, or to get vaccinated to keep enjoying the things they love.
It has two key themes: to speak to those who have been living in areas of lockdown and are looking forward to their first tastes of freedom again; and to speak those who are already enjoying the things they love, urging them to get vaccinated in order to keep living their lifestyles without the risk of lockdowns.
“It mobilises all Australians to make the decision to get vaccinated. It particularly speaks to a younger age group,” explained health minister Greg Hunt.
He said the “comprehensive vaccination communications campaign” was being supported by an additional $50-million of funding to take the campaign through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.
According to the minister, the latest research shows a continuing positive trend in attitudes to being vaccinated, with 81 percent of people saying they will be, or intend to be, vaccinated.
“This is extremely encouraging as we strive to reach the 70 and 80 percent vaccination rates as important targets in the phases for re-opening,” Hunt said.
“This campaign targets those who are still unsure [about being vaccinated] to [get] vaccinated, as it will enable them to do things they enjoy – such as being with family, attending weddings, going to concerts and travelling.”
To date, more than 66 percent of the Australian population aged 16 and over has had at least one vaccine dose, and more than 22-million doses have been administered across the country.
“We are setting vaccination records on an almost daily basis – and the next phase of the communications campaign will seek to keep this momentum going,” said the minister.