Aberdeen Football Club Joins Forces with NHS Grampian to Get Young People to Roll Up their Sleeves

Joint campaign aims to tackle the lower take up of COVID vaccinations among target demographics

Aberdeen Football Club is supporting NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership in its drive to increase the number of younger people getting vaccinated against COVID.

In Aberdeen, two thirds of adults aged 18 – 39 have been vaccinated but local health officials are keen to push that even higher.

The Club will be running a campaign across all its communication channels to encourage younger football supporters to get their vaccination. Already, Aberdeen FC captain, Scott Brown and first team stalwart, Andy Considine, have posed for photos at their vaccination appointments which were posted on social media with a hugely positive response.

As part of this, Pittodrie will play host to a community vaccination clinic on Monday 16^th of August. Fans can come along to the Teddy Scott Lounge between 2pm and 7pm for their jab in familiar surroundings or simply pop-in to get advice and information on the vaccine.

The vaccination programme has recently been extended to include 16 and 17 year olds and the NHS team at Pittodrie will have supplies of the Pfizer vaccine available for this age group too.

Dave Cormack, AFC chairman, said: “The Club is pleased to be able to support NHS Grampian in their efforts to get everyone vaccinated. With our extensive reach, particularly on social media, we can tap into audiences that others cannot. Through the power of football our players as role models in the community, we can help get the message out there that it’s vital everyone get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.”

Sandy Reid, COVID vaccination lead for Aberdeen City, said: “We’re delighted to be working with AFC and look forward to welcoming fans to our vaccination clinics at Pittodrie. The more people we get fully vaccinated, the more we can get all our lives back to normal.”

Scott Brown, AFC captain said: “I’d strongly recommend that people of all ages and levels of fitness get vaccinated. Everyone at the Club is getting the vaccination so that we can reduce the risk of any player or our friends and families getting seriously ill from COVID.

“It’s quick, easy and almost painless and, if you’ve got concerns, NHS staff will give you all the advice and information you need to reassure you about the jab.”