Social media campaign promotes vaccination against COVID-19 in Belarus

18 October 2022

The WHO Country Office in Belarus has collected video statements from people who chose to get vaccinated against COVID-19, in which they share their motivations and how they were informed in their decision-making process. The messages have been shared widely on social media to encourage others to get vaccinated and protect themselves from severe and potentially long-term impacts of COVID-19.

The social media campaign is part of the action of the European Union and WHO/Europe supporting vaccination in the Eastern Partnership countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The 3-year project seeks to provide critical assistance to ensure an effective COVID-19 vaccination rollout, which includes communication and community engagement activities to promote vaccination, while also strengthening the national immunization systems with health care worker trainings, procurement of key equipment, and more.

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WHO

Inna Vakulina, assistant director, Minsk

“I work a lot with people. It isn’t possible to wear a mask all the time. So, I decided to protect myself from COVID-19 as much as possible by also getting vaccinated. I did get sick, but it was mild.”

WHO

Svetlana Zhukovskaya, gynaecologist and lecturer at the Belarusian State Medical University

“The last 2 years have proved that COVID-19 is not just another flu. It is a serious disease with a higher mortality rate than influenza and a wide range of potentially long-term side effects. My decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was guided by my knowledge as a doctor who can see first-hand the negative effects the disease can have on the health of a pregnant woman and her baby. Getting vaccinated was also in line with my active lifestyle as a teacher, a daughter, and a granddaughter myself."

WHO

Igor Kryuchkov, electrician, Minsk region

“As an electrician, it isn’t possible for me to work remotely, so I decided to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect myself and my colleagues. In autumn, when flu can spread as well as COVID, it is even more advisable to take care of your health, and that includes getting vaccinated."

WHO

Nina Pashuk, pensioner, Gomel

“Because people can have COVID-19 but develop no symptoms, you can never tell who is healthy and who has contracted the virus. I belong to a higher-risk group and have already received 3 shots of the vaccine, without any side effects. I feel more relaxed and at ease now. If I do get sick, I hope the vaccine will help me, so I only develop mild symptoms.”

WHO

Gennady Borsch, engineer, Minsk

“I have a heart condition, so when I was told by my doctor and a cardiac surgeon to get vaccinated, I followed their advice."

WHO

Nina Aleksandrova, pensioner, Minsk

“I decided to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when I saw how sick my neighbours got. After reading up on the symptoms of COVID-19, I realized that the danger from the disease was far more real than the possible side effects of the vaccination."

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