TikTok's Efforts to Promote COVID-19 Immunization

Throughout the pandemic, TikTok has played a significant role in bringing inspiration and joy to people worldwide, fostering a sense of community and connection even when physically separated. In addition, TikTok has collaborated with trusted public health organizations and experts to provide reliable information to its community. Now, in honor of World Immunization Week (April 24-30), TikTok is taking part in spreading awareness about COVID-19 immunization. By supporting informative and engaging livestreams and video creation, TikTok aims to contribute to important public health goals.

During World Immunization Week, TikTok encourages its community to creatively share their reasons for getting vaccinated using the hashtag #VaccinatedFor, inspiring others to also get vaccinated against COVID-19. Users can participate by using the hashtag and explore related content on TikTok's Discover page throughout the week.

On Thursday, April 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) will be livestreaming on TikTok from its official account, which has amassed over 2.8 million followers. Katherine O'Brien, the Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals for the WHO, will explain the science, efficacy, and safety behind vaccines and address viewers' questions on the app. To join the live session with the WHO on TikTok, users can visit @WHO on Thursday, April 29 at Noon ET.

TikTok has also partnered with NowThis to launch a five-part live series called VIRAL. This series aims to educate people about the science behind COVID-19 vaccines, bridging the information gap, reducing vaccine hesitancy, and informing the TikTok community. VIRAL is hosted by Laurel Bristow, an Infectious Disease researcher, and features public health experts from Team Halo who will answer viewers' questions about the pandemic through live Q&A sessions. Users can tune in every Thursday at 6pm ET until May 13 on @NowThis.

In addition to collaborating with educational partners, TikTok continues to enhance the resources available on its platform. The in-app coronavirus resource hub has been accessed over 2.6 billion times and is regularly updated with new information and guidance from the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding vaccines and COVID-19. TikTok also places public service announcements (PSAs) on an increasing number of relevant hashtags to connect viewers with the WHO and local public health resources. These PSAs have garnered over 38 billion views and counting.

TikTok is committed to swiftly identifying and removing misinformation related to COVID-19. The majority of misleading videos about the coronavirus are removed within 24 hours of upload, as outlined in their latest Transparency Report. TikTok is investing in new detection mechanisms to further improve its effectiveness in combating misinformation.

For more information about TikTok's efforts to promote public health and support communities during the pandemic, please visit their Safety Center.