Nightclubs are joining the UK’s vaccination drive, urging young people to get the jab or risk missing out on ‘the good times.’
Heaven in London is set to become a walk-in vaccination centre on Sunday, while the Ministry of Sound will also help push vaccination messaging to its punters.
Around a third of 18 to 29-year-olds haven’t come forward to get the jab and a fifth of those in hospital with Covid are young, health bosses say.
From September, people will be required to have had two doses of a vaccine to enter nightclubs and other large-scale events.
From today, a new campaign is being rolled out across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok, as well as on radio stations including Kiss, Capital, Heart, Sunrise, and TalkSport, urging vaccine uptake in young adults.
It coincides with the release of a question and answer film on vaccines featuring doctor and DJ Dr Kishan Bodalia – who performs under the name Bodalia – who began livestreaming his sets during the pandemic under the name NHSessions.
Dr Bodalia said: ‘I want everyone to enjoy themselves as safely as possible now that clubs and music events are back. If you haven’t got round to getting the vaccine yet, now really is the time to come forward and book in for your first and second dose. If you’ve questions or concerns, seek answers from the NHS or your GP.’
It comes amid concerns over the uptake of the jab among younger people.
While 88.7% of the adult population have had a first dose, the number of people coming forward every day has slowed considerably and ministers are trying to find new ways to reach the final 10%.
Earlier this week it was announced that the vaccine drive would be extended to all 16 and 17-year-olds in the hope that it will further drive down cases.
NHS medical director of primary care Dr Nikki Kanani, said: ‘While thousands of people continue to come forward every week, we must not forget that there are more than 5,000 people who are seriously ill in hospital with Covid and more than a fifth of those are young people – the vaccine remains our single best defence against Covid and I would encourage anyone yet to take up the offer of a vaccine to attend one of the many walk-in sites across the country this weekend.’
The nighttime industry has been critical of the plan to introduce vaccine passports for clubbing, saying they feel they have been singled out when pubs and restaurants do not have to operate under similar rules.
But, after being closed for 18 months, the big names of the the sector are throwing their weight behind the new campaign in the hope that it will prevent further lockdowns.
Lohan Presencer, executive chairman of Ministry of Sound, said: ‘It’s incredible to welcome people back on to our dance floor after so long. We’ll provide the music and the good times, people just need to get both their vaccines so we can all keep dancing together safely.’
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