So far less than 30% of adult South Africans are fully vaccinated. What our data shows, is that after each age cohort opens for vaccination, demand spikes and then soon plateaus. If we are to vaccinate the vast majority of South Africans we need – as business, government, labour and civil society – to urgently find ways to mobilise and communicate with 10s of millions of people to drive up demand. To do this, we must both develop our own best practice and learn from other countries.
On Friday 15 October 2021, B4SA hosted a webinar exploring South Africa’s vaccination campaign and best practice gleaned from international vaccination campaigns, and then examining how private sector campaigns can support immunisation.
The Solidarity Fund presented its new national #RollUpYourSleevesSA and get Vaccinated! campaign in support of the National Department of Health. In addition to being an umbrella call to action through all media, the campaign also includes resources for business and social partners to use.
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) then presented international insights into campaigns to promote vaccination and to prevent and reduce Covid-19. UNITAR researchers have studied Covid-19 campaigns around the world including highlights from two free and downloadable “General Use” and “Strategies for Companies” toolkits.
The presenters were:
- Wendy Tlou, Executive Head: Humanitarian Relief & Communication, Solidarity Fund
- Estrella Merlos, Policy Specialist, UNITAR
- Dr Jeff French, Member, Advisory Committee, Division for People, UNITAR
- Isis Duran Moreno, Communications Director, Bavaria
- Angela Montano, e-Learning Specialist, UNITAR
To view the video recording of the full session please click here.
The Solidarity Fund presentation in PDF format can be downloaded here while the advertising videos can be viewed on their YouTube channel and communications resources for business can be downloaded from the Solidarity Fund website.
Professor Jeff French’s presentation can be downloaded here
Toolkit 1: Designing and implementing campaigns in support of vaccination efforts to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 can be downloaded here.
Toolkit 2: Strategies for companies: Designing and implementing campaigns in support of vaccination efforts to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 can be downloaded here.