UNICEF asks people in Ireland to join ‘Get a Vaccine – Give a Vaccine’ movement in solidarity with those in developing nations, and help end COVID-19 worldwide
NOTE: EMBARGOED UNTIL 08.00 GMT Tuesday 15.06.21
*NOTE* Interviews available on request.
15th June 2021 – Today, with the support of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson, UNICEF is launching an innovative Irish campaign called Get a Vaccine – Give a Vaccine.
The campaign invites Irish people to give a vaccine when they get their vaccine from the HSE.
The vaccine drive is raising funds for the delivery of two billion COVID-19 doses to healthcare workers and vulnerable people around the world, because no-one is safe until we are all safe.
An inspiring one-minute video from UNICEF Ambassador Liam Neeson is leading out the campaign, which invites people to give a vaccine by going to UNICEF’s website.
UNICEF is now leading the largest-ever vaccine procurement and supply operation on behalf of the COVAX Facility, targeting 92 low and middle-income countries. UNICEF has built considerable expertise through procuring half the world’s vaccines for children under 5 every year. To date, more than 80 million vaccine doses have been delivered to 129 countries and territories (since March). However, supply and funding are now significant issues.
Northern Irish actor Neeson is a long-time supporter of UN agency UNICEF, last week joining their successful campaign to encourage G7 leaders to share vaccine supplies. Today’s announcement marks a return to where it all started for Neeson, supporting UNICEF’s office in Ireland. He has voiced a new TV campaign fans can see from tonight, encouraging people to ‘give a vaccine’ when they ‘get a vaccine’.
UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power says: “Today, Irish people have a fantastic opportunity to show solidarity with vulnerable people in the poorest countries of the world, who will not be able to access vaccines without our help. I have met so many people who are emotional after receiving their vaccines. They want to give something back and the Get a Vaccine – Give a Vaccine campaign provides a platform for Irish people to do just that.”
The simplicity of the Get a Vaccine – Give a Vaccine campaign has already won support from companies, philanthropists and individuals. In launching the new campaign video with Liam Neeson today, we are responding to an organic movement that has formed over the past six months, in response to our messages on vaccine equity and global solidarity.”
COVID-19 spikes happening around the World and the emergence of variants threaten us all. In recognition, children’s agency UNICEF earlier this year asked its teams to stretch themselves beyond the norm in the face of an unprecedented challenge. UNICEF agreed to join ACT-A partners WHO, Gavi The Vaccine Alliance, and CEPI, working for The COVAX Facility.
For people in Ireland, the end is in sight with millions of vaccine doses now administered. UNICEF’s Get a Vaccine Give a Vaccine campaign offers people an opportunity to come together in an act of solidarity during this historic moment. The message is clear – support vaccine equity and protect your own community.
The campaign has already won from high-profile figures in public affairs, healthcare, and the media. The rights agency is now inviting influencers from entertainment, sports, and lifestyle to get on board, taking the action of giving a vaccine, and then letting their communities know about it.
At the G7 Summit last week, Global leaders pledged to share one billion vaccines with developing nations. As a COVAX member, the government of Ireland supports efforts to ensure developing countries have access to COVID-19 vaccines for both epidemiological and ethical reasons.
ENDS
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Notes for editors:
Executive Director Peter Power is available for interview
WATCH the campaign video here
For photos and BRoll of UNICEF’s work in vaccine delivery here
For campaign assets visit our website
To donate visit www.unicef.ie/get
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for every child, visit our website
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
For more information, please contact:
Aedín Donnelly, Communications and Media Manager for UNICEF Ireland, aedin@unicef.ie
To find out how your organisation can support Get a Vaccine Give a Vaccine, contact Owen Buckley owen@unicef.ie
