A CREATIVE approach to encouraging residents to take a Covid vaccine is being taken in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Public Health service has appointed seven artists to deliver important vaccination information in innovative ways across the county.
As part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Creative Health Alliance, the Encouraging Vaccinations Arts Project has been set up to provide reassurance and encourage residents to get a vaccine in new and creative ways.
WCC’s health spokeswoman Coun Margaret Bell said: “The artwork created for this project tackles multiple challenges surrounding vaccine reluctance by debunking myths, dispelling fake news and misinformation, and strengthening community engagement.
“As restrictions have eased, and to continue the great work of our health partners across Warwickshire, it is important for residents to receive correct and factual information about the vaccine so that they can feel confident both when getting the jab and in understanding why it’s important – not just to protect yourself but also the people around you.
“The more people who come forward for the vaccine, the greater the level of protection we all have. By working together and getting both doses of the vaccine it will help to keep us all safe.”
The seven artists involved in the project are Anthony Barkworth Knight, Dan Simpson, Eve Travers, Fred Campbell, Gayatri Pasricha, John Hinton, and Trevor Woolery.
To engage with residents reluctant to take the vaccine, they have worked in a range of media – including comic strips, videos, animations, songs, and colourful wrapping across public transport. Each artist also worked with focus groups to obtain real, valid experiences and represent the genuine thoughts and feelings of Warwickshire’s residents.
John Hinton said: “I’m a maker of theatre and music, most of it about science.
“The music video I’ve created aims to address in a light-hearted way some of the myths surrounding the Covid vaccines, for example explaining how and why the vaccines were developed so quickly. It also has a rousing sing-along chorus for us all to chant while standing in line for our jabs.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusart to see the artwork created by each of the artists.
Anyone over 18 can book a Covid vaccination by visiting https://tinyurl.com/dzch6n5z or calling 119.
Visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/information-coronavirus for information and guidance about reducing the spread of Covid-19 in Warwickshire.
