Tech platforms Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are launching new interactive features to help boost vaccine uptake across the country.
Facebook and Instagram users can update their profiles with a range of specially designed profile frames or stickers to show they have had their top-up jab or intend to when eligible.
TikTok, who supported the vaccine drive by hosting a “grab-a-jab” event in London earlier this year, has also made stickers available for the public to use on their profiles.
Booster jabs opened to those aged 40-49 and now all those aged 40 and above who received their second dose at least six months ago can also get their booster jab at a walk-in site. Appointments can also be pre-booked a month in advance.
This new drive aligns with the “Stop Covid-19 Hanging Around” campaign TV advert which has also launched today. The advert highlights how Covid-19 is breathed out in particles, and in enclosed spaces, these particles can build up and become harder for others to avoid breathing them in. The advert shows how opening windows or doors regularly to let fresh air in help disperse these particles and keeps others safe.
More than 16 million booster vaccines have now been given across the UK.
People are encouraged to come forward for their jabs as soon as they are eligible to get the best possible protection ahead of winter.
New data this week further highlighted how important the booster jab is. The first real-world study on the effectiveness of booster vaccines by the UK Health Security Agency shows top-up jabs boost protection back up to over 90% against symptomatic COVID-19 in adults aged over 50.
The findings show that 2 weeks after receiving a booster dose, protection against symptomatic infection in adults aged 50 years and over was 93.1% in those with Oxford/AstraZeneca as their primary course and 94.0% for Pfizer-BioNTech.
The range of new graphics will be ready to use in five languages on social media from and will be available in 13 languages in the coming weeks so that people from communities across the UK can support the campaign.
Vaccines give high levels of protection but immunity reduces over time, particularly for older adults and at-risk groups, so vulnerable people must come forward to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine to top up their defenses.
The latest evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) shows that protection against symptomatic disease falls from 65%, up to 3 months after the second dose, to 45% 6 months after the second dose for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and from 90% to 65% for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Protection against hospitalization falls from 95% to 75% for Oxford/AstraZeneca and 99% to 90% for Pfizer/BioNTech.
Although the vaccine effectiveness against the severe disease remains high, a small change can generate a major shift in hospital admissions. For example, a change from 95% to 90% protection against hospitalization would lead to a doubling of admissions in those vaccinated.
The booster program is designed to top up this waning immunity.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Technology Express staff and is published from a syndicated feed)
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