Province launches COVID-19 vaccination ad campaign

A nurse draws a dose from a vaccine vial in Prince Albert. Photo courtesy SHA.

On Monday the Government of Saskatchewan announced that they had launched a province-wide, multi-media campaign encouraging Saskatchewan residents to get vaccinated.
“Today, we are asking people to help us get back to normal by rolling up their sleeves to stick it to COVID,” Premier Scott Moe said in a release.

“Saskatchewan’s vaccination efforts have been the most effective in the nation because Saskatchewan people know that the best thing we can do to protect ourselves, others, and to get back to doing the things we love is by getting vaccinated.”

According to the province, the Stick It To COVID campaign features real Saskatchewan people sharing their stories of why they are getting vaccinated and will roll out as part of a multi-faceted media plan to encourage Saskatchewan residents to get vaccinated.

The main 60-second advertisement is narrated by Regina ER Nurse Leah Sawatsky, who has worked on the front-lines throughout the pandemic and was one of the first people in the province to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Officially launching on Monday the ad thanks the people of the province for all of their efforts during the pandemic and calls on Saskatchewan people to roll up their sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine when it is their turn.

“I think it’s a powerful ad with a powerful message,” Moe said.

“It reminds us of all the things we have missed doing this past year but more importantly, all the things we can look forward to doing again once enough Saskatchewan people are vaccinated.”

Part two of the campaign will feature seven 30-second advertisements featuring 11 real Saskatchewan people. The seven supporting advertisements will launch in the days and weeks following the initial launch, and will provide a personal insight into what the COVID-19 vaccine represents to each of them.

“These messages from Saskatchewan people are a reminder that when we get vaccinated, we aren’t just doing it for ourselves,” Moe said.  “We are doing it to protect those around us, which is what we do in this province. We look after one another.”

The multi-media campaign will feature TV ads, radio, social media (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify), billboards, washroom posters, newspaper ads and cinema ads.

The campaign will run province-wide and include content broadcast by radio in Cree and Dene in northern Saskatchewan.

“We all have a reason to get immunized, and I encourage everyone to watch the videos and reflect on who they will be keeping safe by getting the vaccine,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “Thank you to all those that participated in the campaign by sharing their inspiring stories.”

The advertisements feature the following Saskatchewan people: George Reed – Rider Legend – Regina, Moni – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – Regina, Leah Sawatsky – Emergency Room Nurse – Regina, Emily – Elder – Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Dr. Hassan Masri – ICU Physician – Saskatoon, Richard – Retired – Saskatoon, Jenni – Teacher – Moose Jaw, Brad – Rec hockey player – Yorkton, Arlene – Home Care Aide – Weyburn, Darcy – Small Business Owner – Regina and Kyla – mother of immunocompromised child – Swift Current.

Learn more about how to book your COVID-19 vaccine by visiting www.stickittoCOVID.ca.

The first Stick It To COVID ad can also be viewed on YouTube.

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