Community Unity: new YouTube series explains why the vaccine can help us all
Infographics come to life in this Q&A video series combatting vaccine misinformation. Syraat Al Mustaqeem breaks down the alternative content that is explaining away the myths around vaccines and Covid-19 variants
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
The 12-part series uses short, animated videos in the style of infographics, answering the most common queries with a side of Gen Z references.
Each two-minute episode addresses a different question surrounding vaccines, such as effects on fertility, children, as well as variants and the long-term symptoms of Covid-19.
“Community Unity” is a collaboration between the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, YouTube and Klick Health.
David Bowen, Klick Health’s Head of Policy & Advocacy, says: "Public health messages often have a familiar style: an expert talking head earnestly discussing the facts. That style can be effective for some audiences, but to reach a wider audience in a compelling and authentic way, we took a different approach.”
This series emphasises the importance of reliable sources (not your boyfriend or an anonymous blog post with three likes) and asking your doctor about the benefits of vaccination against Covid-19.
We take a look at some of the videos here:
What is Community Immunity?
The first video in the series calls for people to “come together, learn together and stay protected together”. The bubbly narrator rhymes her way through an explanation of “community immunity” and talks us through the effectiveness of vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases such as smallpox, polio and measles.
Do Covid-19 Vaccines Affect Fertility?
“Well sis, I’m not getting the shot – I want to have a baby”, laments an “indecisive” Tina. This short exchange between twins Tina and Tanya sounds like something you might overhear on the tube.
The conversation is packed full of randomly sourced pseudo-facts from Tina while Tanya dispels the dangers of vaccines on pregnant women. Tanya presents colourful statistics on healthy vaccinated pregnant women and emphasises that there is no reliable evidence of vaccine-related miscarriages.
Alien babies are also ruled out of the side effects – what a relief.
Covid-19 Vaccines vs Variants
The “jab from the lab” battles the “raging contagion” in this wrestling-mania parody, showing how the longer you stay unvaccinated, the longer the virus has to mutate into a new strain.
Statistics show that deaths of unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely, while hospitalisation is 23 times more likely.
In the video, the variant has a gameplan to hit the most “vulnerable” immune systems, making the naysayers of the vaccine the softest target.
Let’s Get Vaxxed, Baby!
This Covid-immune infant tells us the story of how his mum passed on Covid-19 antibodies to him after receiving the vaccine (“Jealous? I know, I know”)
The baby explains that although new-borns are too young to be vaccinated themselves, there are a few months of protection from the antibodies and a lower risk of Covid complications for vaccinated pregnant mothers.
“Word in the womb” is that vaccines are not only safe for mothers but safe for their children too.
Pregnancy and Covid-19 Vaccines
This mother-to-mother conversation outlines what to expect when you’re expecting – with the added stress of a pandemic. The fifth episode covers the benefits of antibodies being passed down to infants through breast milk and encourages parents to get vaccinated to protect their young ones.
