[imagesource: Twitter / Karen Barlow]

Panic because of a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases can result in some questionable behaviour from government and officials.

I am sure the alcohol industry in South Africa has a lot to say about that.

Meanwhile, down under, a controversial advert (not by Nando’s this time) is bringing to light the complicated nature of getting everybody vaccinated.

The Australian government released a vaccine advertisement encouraging people to “book your vaccination” because “COVID-19 can affect anyone”.

While that’s a fair point to make, many Australian citizens are criticising the advert.

It’s very graphic, showing a young woman suffering from the virus, gasping for air while hooked up to a ventilator.

But the thing is, anybody under the age of 40 in Australia has to wait till later in the year to get their vaccination jabs.

This is precisely why so many people are offended by the advert that seems to target mostly young folk.

Official health experts have asked that young people wait for a Pfizer jab instead of the available AstraZeneca jab, but there is currently a shortage of Pfizer vaccines in the country.

Sydney’s federal government vaccine rollout has sparked widespread criticism since it began in February, leaving the public complacent and confused, with only 10% fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Sydney is struggling through a Delta variant outbreak that has forced the country into its third week of lockdown:

Authorities reported 112 new cases on Monday, taking the total to over 700 cases since the strain first emerged in mid-June.

On Sunday, authorities in Australia’s largest city recorded the first death from the outbreak – the nation’s first locally-contracted COVID-19 fatality all year.

As part of the  ‘Arm Yourself’ vaccination campaign which launched on Sunday, the advert was released, followed by the backlash:

WARNING: Here is the GRAPHIC Australian Government #COVID19 ad to run in Sydney. #COVID19nsw pic.twitter.com/6IXgBy7miw

— Karen Barlow (@KJBar) July 11, 2021

“Completely offensive to run an ad like this when Australians in this age group are still waiting for their vaccinations”.

Another Twitter user asked if the government shouldn’t rather be targeting the “rising rate of vaccine hesitancy in over-55s”.

Plus, healthcare professionals, among others, have called the video “insensitive” and have asked that it be removed from various platforms.

But the Australian government is sticking by it:

Australia’s Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said it was “meant to be graphic” to “push the message home” about the need to stay home, get tested and book in vaccines.

They added that they are only “doing this because of the situation in Sydney”.

While a call to vaccinate as soon as possible is pertinent, the government should also have some solid plans to bring in more vaccines sooner than later.

Yeah, we know how that feels.

[source:bbc]