• Rugby stars urge young people to get COVID-19 shots in new short

• Sam Underhill, Alex Goode and Dan Robson among players sharing personal experiences of COVID-19

• The film can be downloaded here

Some of the country’s top rugby players today (Tuesday, September 28) encouraged young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as they discuss their personal experiences of the pandemic.

Ahead of the third round of Premiership Rugby this weekend, a new movie has been released starring key players Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Nathan Earle (Newcastle Falcons), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Marland Yarde (Sale Sharks) and Dan Robson (Wasps) discussing the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and the impact the virus has had on them over the past year.

Players are also sharing their thoughts on who to watch this season. While their player predictions may be different, they all agree that the most important thing anyone can do this season is get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The film will be shown in stadiums across the country from this weekend (October 1-3) and comes as more than 82% of over-16s in the UK have now received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier this month, the booster program was also rolled out, with eligible people urged to reserve their jabs as soon as possible in order to keep the virus under long-term control and protect the most vulnerable during the winter months. .

The latest data (September 23, 2021) also shows that in particular, younger men were more reluctant than younger women to take both doses of the vaccine – among those aged 18-49, 70% of men are doubly vaccinated. against 76% of women in this group.

In the film, players discuss how the pandemic has directly affected their lives. Sam Underhill shares how his father was hospitalized with COVID-19, and Nathan Earle’s partner had their first child during the pandemic, which means he couldn’t be in the hospital to support her all through long from birth.

The film is part of a larger partnership with the Premiership Rugby League and follows the ‘Every Vaccination Gives Us Hope’ campaign launched earlier this year to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID- 19.

More than 48.7 million people have now received a first dose of a vaccine – over 89.7% of the UK population over 16 years of age – and 44.7 million have received their second dose. This means that more than 82.4% of people over 16 in the UK have now received both doses of a vaccine, with 93.5 million vaccines given in total.

Phil Winstanley, Director of Rugby at Premiership Rugby, said:

It has been so fantastic to have sports fans in stadiums across the country, and it could not have been done without the COVID-19 vaccination program. It’s been so instrumental in getting us back to normal, and as we move forward with this year’s season, we need to make sure all of our fans are as safe as possible – and that includes making sure they receive the vaccine to protect yourself. and those around them.

Health and Social Affairs Secretary Sajid Javid said:

It’s fantastic to see these rugby legends come out and support the life-saving jabs. Many thanks to Sam, Alex, Nathan, Ollie, Marland and Dan.

It is thanks to the defense wall built by the vaccines that fans of all sports can find their favorite players on the field.

Please get your jab as soon as possible, to protect yourself, your family and loved ones.

Vaccine Minister Maggie Throup said:

The impact of the vaccine in giving us protection against COVID-19 has allowed us to start doing the things we love again – whether it’s going out to dinner with friends, going on a trip abroad or watching your favorite sportsmen live. In the stadium.

It’s great to see so many famous faces pledging to support the immunization program – and we continue to urge anyone who hasn’t yet had theirs to come forward for the life-saving vaccine as soon as possible.

Nathan Earle of the Newcastle Falcons said:

It has been a very difficult 18 months for everyone, but finally we see the light at the end of the tunnel. The feedback from the fans in the crowd has been amazing – it just gives you that extra boost you need on the pitch. I would say to everyone, make sure you get your jab if you haven’t already – it’s quick and easy and it means we can get back to the game we love!

People who have been vaccinated are much less likely to contract COVID-19 with symptoms and are less likely to contract severe COVID-19, be admitted to hospital, or die from it.

The latest data from Public Health England shows that the vaccine rollout has saved more than 123,000 lives and halted nearly a quarter of a million hospitalizations.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine