Elton John and Michael Caine feature in an ad for the British National Health Service (NHS) encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Singer Elton John and actor Michael Caine star in an audition-style comic advert, which sees John get told off for singing his hit song ‘I’m Still Standing‘ and Caine indulge in a smidge of self-mockery.
They are arguably two of the UK’s best-known figures and at 73 (John) and 87 (Caine), are already eligible to be vaccinated in the UK.
The campaign comes through fears that anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories will dissuade people from receiving the vaccine. In the UK, there have been a number of anti-lockdown protests where anti-vaccine posters and speakers have been prominent.
A poll in November 2020 found that only fourty-three percent of respondents in the UK would definitely get the vaccine, and thirty-two percent said they ‘probably’ would.
In a statement, Elton John said, “I wanted to take part in this film to help show people the benefits of getting vaccinated and how it helps protect ourselves and the people we love.”
“I hope we can all come together and do our bit in the fight against this wretched disease.”
The UK government aims to give the first dose of the vaccine to fifteen million people by mid-February. In Australia, the vaccine rollout is planned to start at the end of February. The aim is for all adults to be vaccinated by October.
