A red pocket campaign is being launched in the East of England to encourage Chinese residents to take up their vaccine and booster jabs as they celebrate coming into the year of the Tiger.

In China, the Tiger symbolises strength and bravery and these special traditional envelopes are engraved with the Chinese greeting “Good Luck in the Year of Tiger, Wish no virus can affect you!”

The NHS is trying to ensure all communities stay healthy and well and is inviting Chinese residents and those who celebrate the lunar new year to take up their vaccine and booster jabs to bring in the year of the tiger.

The East of England has around 50,000 Chinese residents. The largest Chinese populations are based in Cambridge with around 15,000 residents, Norwich (3000 residents) and Colchester (2000 residents).

With the recent relaxation of rules on covid, which include not having to wear face masks in schools and shops; all residents in the East of England across all our communities, are being urged to get their vaccine and booster jabs to protect themselves, families and the wider community.  

Ruth Ashmore, director of commissioning and executive lead for the vaccination programme for NHS England and NHS Improvement East of England, said: 

“The NHS is launching a new initiative to promote the covid vaccine among the Chinese communities.

“Red gift pockets, posters and leaflets are going out to residents via Chinese community centres, churches, restaurants and traditional Chinese medicine practices as part of the New Year celebrations, to encourage vaccine uptake and to inform people about where they can get their vaccine and how to stay safe. 

“Information is being provided in Mandarin, with short videos being presented by Chinese clinicians shared through social media.    

“We strongly recommend and encourage any Chinese residents who haven’t already been vaccinated to learn more about why the vaccine is safe and to think about taking up the vaccine offer.” 

Chinese residents are invited to book their appointment through the NHS online booking service, by calling 119, or by finding their nearest walk-in site. There are currently at least 230 walk-in sites open across the East of England.

The covid vaccination roll-out is considered the biggest and fastest vaccination rollout in NHS history and has already delivered over 30 million boosters to people in England. Booster jabs significantly increase protection from the omicron variant.