Health Secretary Sajid Javid said more than two thirds of young people in England have already had a first dose of a vaccine…reports Asian Lite News.
UK is offering several incentives such as discounts on shopping, pizza and Uber reminders in a bid to encourage more youngsters to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Some of the country’s top food and travel businesses such as Uber, Bolt, Deliveroo and Pizza Pilgrims, have joined the national effort to get as many people as possible inoculated against the virus.
Uber will be sending reminders to all users in August, encouraging them to get the vaccine, and will be offering discounted Uber rides and meals on Uber Eats for young adults who get the jab. This follows earlier Uber campaigns offering free trips to vaccination centres earlier this year and for NHS staff during the height of the pandemic.
Bolt will be offering free ride credit to vaccination centres. A similar scheme by Bolt included offering £250,000 in free ride credit to London vaccination facilities earlier this year.
Other incentives being discussed could include vouchers or discount codes for people attending pop up vaccine sites and booking though the NHS, social media competitions and promotional offers for restaurants.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said more than two thirds of young people in England have already had a first dose of a vaccine.
He thanked all the businesses who are “stepping up to support the vaccine drive.”
“Once available, please go out and take advantage of the discounts,” he said. “The lifesaving vaccines not only protect you, your loved ones and your community, but they are helping to bring us back together by allowing you to get back to doing the things you’ve missed.”
Companies will not ask for, or hold any health data for the incentive scheme, the government said in a statement.
The government is working closely with the NHS to make it as easy as possible to get a vaccine, including through ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites across the country.
Over 600,000 people were vaccinated last weekend at these walk-in clinics, from London’s Tate Modern Gallery to a Primark in Bristol. Further sites have been made available this week – including at Thorpe Park in Surrey and Circus Extreme in Yorkshire.
“It is great to see the strong enthusiasm among young people so far to get their vaccines,” Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said. “Getting both doses of the jab is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and avoid unknowingly passing the virus on to someone who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.”
He also thanked the businesses who have backed this mission – “please get your jabs as soon as you can and grab a bargain.”
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