- The Australian Department of Health aired a controversial advertisement encouraging residents to be vaccinated.
- Critics slammed the ad for clearly portraying a young woman, and the country’s vaccination eligibility is limited to people over 40.
- One Twitter user wrote: “It doesn’t help to scare young people who cannot be vaccinated.”
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On Sunday night, the Australian government released a graphic health advertisement to encourage residents to get vaccinated. Since then, the depiction of a patient who seems too young to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Australia has sparked backlash.
After briefly warning that the video will portray “severe manifestations of Covid-19 disease,” the 30-second ad showed a young woman wearing an oxygen mask and panting.
“Covid-19 can affect anyone. Stay at home. Get tested. Book vaccinations,” the advertisement reads.
The health ad was criticized for appearing to portray a subject in Australia who may be too young to be vaccinated.In Australia, people over 40 are currently eligible for vaccination, while people between 16 and 39 “may be eligible for vaccination”, according to Australian Government Department of Health.
“When Australians of this age are still waiting for their damn vaccinations, it is totally offensive to run such an advertisement,” reporter Hugh Riminton Tweet.
“Frightening young people who cannot be vaccinated does not help,” a Twitter user wrote.
Another user comment The ad was “effective but frightening because young Australians like me are still not eligible for vaccination.”
Health consultant Bill Bautell told Sydney Morning Herald The advertisement “does not truly convey the reality of people suffering from Covid” and requested that it be stopped.
In response to strong opposition, the Australian government defended the advertisement.
period Press conference On Sunday, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly admitted that the ad was “very vivid and should be vivid”.
“We did this only because of the (Covid-19) situation,” Kelly said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also talked about the strong opposition in a conversation with CNN affiliate Sky News Australia. He said: “Our critics say that advertising needs to be stronger and stronger. Powerful, even the god of death is mentioned.”
“[The ad] There are two messages… one is to stay home,” Morrison added. “We can’t be complacent about it. And young people walking around in the city put people in the entire community at risk, including themselves. “
