In an effort to encourage as many people as possible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, the Biden administration is deploying a full-out public relations blitz.
Set to kick off in the coming weeks, the White House will spend money on television, radio and digital advertising across a multitude of platforms to combat any skepticism Americans may have about getting the shot. The ultimate goal of the campaign: get people vaccinated as quickly as possible. According to Stat News, Congress and the Biden administration have set aside over $1.5 billion to carry out their plan.
During a call with Newsmax, Biden aides said conservatives are one of the target groups. They said they have realized that the government isn’t always the best messenger. So, the Biden administration is using the campaign to turn factual information provided by government agencies — including Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health agencies — to other outlets and organizations that people may be more inclined to trust.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Biden administration has reached out to Christian Broadcasting Network and NASCAR to reach conservative audiences. Other efforts include videos featuring athletes representing 13 sports leagues and organizations; they include the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association in a push to reach younger audiences and people of color who are hesitant to seek a vaccine.
A NASCAR spokeswoman told the Journal that drivers are sharing with the public what getting the vaccine would mean to them. Also, they have turned some of their race tracks into vaccination sites.
''It’s critically important to us that we, as an industry, continue to play a meaningful role in the fight against COVID, including offering our venues to help administer vaccines across the country as quickly as possible,'' NASCAR President Steve Phelps told the outlet.
Conservatives are a large target group for the Biden administration because recent polling shows they are less likely to get a vaccine. According to a recent CBS News poll, just under half of Republicans said they plan to get the vaccine, compared with 71% of Democrats. About a third of Republicans said they wouldn’t be vaccinated and 20% said they were unsure.
On a call discussing the campaign to instill vaccine confidence, a representative from Biden’s coronavirus response team said they are working with media outlets to answer questions people have about receiving a coronavirus vaccine.
The Biden administration is looking to see trusted on-air talent talk about their vaccine experience, and even get one live on air. The administration is partnering with outlets to hold town-hall style events where viewers can ask experts questions and address any misinformation.
The Biden aides describe the planned approach as both a paid media outreach and grassroots effort. At the end of the day, they are hoping to create an opportunity for people to receive the information they need to make an educated decision about receiving a vaccine.
Marisa Herman ✉
Marisa Herman, a Newsmax senior reporter, focuses on major and investigative stories. A University of Florida graduate, she has more than a decade of experience as a reporter for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
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