In what might seem like an unlikely partnership, the HSE on Thursday announced a new collaboration with Ireland’s major dating apps to boost its COVID-19 vaccination drive.
The HSE’s ‘For Us All’ vaccination campaign will work with Match Group’s dating platforms, including Tinder, Match, OK Cupid, Hinge and Plenty of Fish.
Need Help Dating? Oh Wait, Let’s Get You Vaccinated First
The dating apps will soon add new features to their user profiles to support the campaign. Apart from sharing information regarding different vaccines, the apps will also provide vaccination badges that can be customised to display on profiles. The users will also get free “Super Likes” and other interesting features to show off their pro-vaccine stance. The new features on the various dating platforms will run throughout the month of July.
In a press release, Paul Reid, CEO of HSE, said, “The vaccination programme is a really important tool in our battle against COVID-19, and we’ve seen incredible support for the programme among the Irish people since we started.
“Thanks to Match Group, people using their apps can be sure they’re getting information on COVID-19 vaccines from the trusted source of hse.ie as well showing their support for COVID-19 vaccines on their dating profiles. It’s a great way to bring our campaign messages to a wide audience in Ireland.”
Twitter Reaction To The Initiative
Although the new HSE campaign is undoubtedly a fun way to attract the masses to the vaccination drive, there were naysayers on Twitter, who didn’t seem much enthused about the idea.
Twitter user A.McN @annmcnm said, “Social credit system. Give me a break. When have you ever ever walked around with an I GOT MY HIV TEST or STD free badge. The whole thing makes me sick.”
Echoing the same sentiment, another user commented, “Well that’s the shittest vaccine reward I’ve ever seen, still weird as f*** to give any reward for taking medicine though unless you’re like 5 and been a good boy at the doctors.”
Looking at a more serious issue, a woman named Bernie Osgood posted, “Have @hse announced anything about high risk children cocooning at home for 17 months? No word of when they may get their vaccination? #whatmatters”
Viewing the new alliance in a light-hearted way, a user named Tony Margiotta quipped:
“Middle aged, GSOH, non smoker, fully vaxed, WLTM similar for friendship, and deep discussions about social distancing and lockdowns. Must have own teeth and bike. Please send pic without mask.”
However, there were others who wholeheartedly lauded the initiative by HSE.
“A very good idea. Young people are not hearing or reading mainstream media, they get their news and information on ‘Apps’, and visit these regularly,” posted a user who goes by the name Sheila Deegan.