Facebook launches profile frames to boost COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ghana

Facebook today announces that it is working with the Ministry of Information to launch new COVID-19 Facebook profile frames and Instagram GIPHY stickers. The new frames will let you share your support for COVID-19 vaccines, and see that others you respect and care about are doing the same. The profile frames and stickers will say “Let’s Get Vaccinated” or “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine”.

Research shows that social norms can have a major impact on people’s attitudes and behaviors when it comes to their health. We know people are more likely to get a vaccine when they see someone they trust doing it. By working closely with national and global health authorities and using our scale to reach people quickly, we’re doing our part to help people get credible information, get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same so we can come back together safely.

“We’re promoting these COVID-19 profile frames and GIFs to all Ghanian Facebook and Instagram users to help boost vaccine confidence,” said Adaora Ikenze, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa. “As COVID-19 vaccines become available to more and more people across Ghana, the new frames and GIPHY stickers can help you to demonstrate your support for the vaccines among your friends and family.”

To add a COVID-19 vaccine frame to your Facebook profile picture:

1. Open your profile in the Facebook app
2. Click your profile picture
3. Click ‘Add frame’
4. Search for the ‘COVID Vaccine’ frames and select the one you want to use
5. Click ‘Use as Profile Picture’ to save

To use COVID-19 vaccine Instagram stickers (from GIPHY) on your Instagram story

1. Open Instagram and add to your story – take a new picture or use a photograph or video of your choosing
2. From your Instagram story, tap the ‘add media’ button, or swipe up to add Stickers from GIPHY
3. In the search bar, use the search term ‘COVID Vaccine’ and select a sticker of your choosing (scroll through the options to find the one you want to use)
4. Position this on your story image or video
5. Use the hashtag #GetVaccinated if you wish, then post

Ghana also recently commenced phase two of its mass vaccination against COVID-19 in 43 inoculation centers across the country. Health officials are expected to administer a total of 350,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines delivered through the COVAX facility.

Speaking on the partnership with Facebook, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information said “We are happy with this partnership with Facebook, as it helps in our drive to encourage vaccine acceptance across the country through digital platforms. Together we can work to ensure more Ghanaians are vaccinated against COVID-19.”

Recently, Facebook also launched facts about COVID in the News Feed and Prevention Tips for people to stay informed and debunk common myths about COVID that have been identified by the World Health Organization. These tips include continued guidance around wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from others, as well as other tips. This is the latest step as part of Facebook’s ongoing work to connect millions of people to authoritative information about COVID-19.