YouTube launched a public service announcement campaign to encourage people, especially those ages 18-34, to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an April 26 company blog post by Garth Graham, MD, its director and global head of healthcare and public health partnerships.
The PSAs will direct viewers to credible information about COVID-19 vaccines, including how they were developed, what to expect when receiving the shot and how vaccination rates affect public health.
The ads will run across YouTube, social media, television and radio through July. They will appear on platforms most likely to be used by young people, which Dr. Graham called "a key demographic to help control the spread of the virus."
Dr. Graham said the campaign will ensure "information is delivered through diverse voices who bring unique perspectives and experiences." He said YouTube is pairing health experts with celebrities such as musicians, comedians and models for the videos.
The campaign launched April 26 in the U.S., and it is slated to roll out in other countries in the coming weeks, coinciding with their vaccine availability timelines.