‘What’s your why’ is the question that the City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Health are asking everyone in our community to consider right now.
In an effort to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the City and Barwon Health have partnered to deliver a campaign which asks people to consider why they should make plans to be vaccinated.
City employees, Councillors, Youth Council members and members of the Ageing Well Advisory Committee feature as the faces of the campaign so far.
When asked why they planned to be vaccinated, their answers all had something in common: other people! Their reasons, overwhelmingly, were to protect friends, family and their community from COVID-19.
Mayor Stephanie Asher said it comes as no surprise that motivation was often selflessly focused on the needs of others.
We know we live in a wonderful, caring community and the answers to the question ‘what’s your why’ are evidence of how much we want to look after each other.
Whether we want to connect with friends and family without putting them at risk, support a local business or attend an exhibition or performance which people have put their creative talent towards, we all have a ‘why’ which is beyond ourselves.
Over coming weeks, the community will encounter the faces of the campaign ambassadors and their reasons for vaccination as the campaign runs across billboards, signage, print advertising and social media.
City of Greater Geelong CEO Martin Cutter said that he is proud to be a part of the campaign and grateful to everyone who has participated in it.
It’s a simple question to ask but it really gets to the heart of who relies on us and who we would do anything within our power to support and protect. Like other people interviewed for the campaign, my ‘why’ is to look after my family, friends, colleagues and the whole Geelong community because if I’m not vaccinated, I’m putting them at risk.
Professor Eugene Athan, Director, Barwon South West Public Health Unit, said that Geelong residents are already taking up the opportunity to become vaccinated in great numbers. Federal government data is showing that, across Australia, 69.1 per cent of people over the age of 16 have received at least one vaccination dose and this figure is rising rapidly as more of the community gets vaccinated.
Geelong residents’ support for vaccination has been truly outstanding and I urge anyone who hasn’t made it a priority yet, to consider their ‘why’ and make a booking today.
The Delta variant is highly contagious and impacts all ages and levels of health. Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and everyone you come into contact with.
For residents with any concerns about vaccination, I would urge them to discuss their concerns with their trusted General Practitioner.
Mayor Stephanie Asher said that she believes everybody has a ‘why’.
We all have someone in our lives – children, partners, parents, friends, colleagues, teachers, students. Planning to get vaccinated – and booking today – helps to protect you and the people who are important to you.
Vaccination bookings can be made by phoning 1800 675 398 or by visiting www.portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/book.
