Sir Elton John and Michael Caine team up in comical NHS campaign to promote Covid jab

The UK’s Covid vaccine scheme is well underway and some big stars across the nation have already taken to social media to share that they have had their first dose to encourage others to make sure they too, have it. Now, in a new NHS campaign, Sir Elton John, 73, and Michael Caine, 87, have teamed up to boost the vaccine take-up, with a funny mock-audition to promote the jab.

Filmed at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the famous duo recorded the comedy clip to show the public that the life-saving jab is easy and safe.

As of 9pm on Tuesday [9 February], a total of 12,646,486 people in the UK have had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine – a rise of 352,480 on Monday.

Currently, two vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent Covid – ​​​Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.​

Speaking to the camera, Sir Elton says: “The more people in society who get vaccinated, the more chance there is of eradicating the national Covid pandemic.

“It’s really important to know that the vaccines have all been through and met the necessary safety and quality standards.”

READ MORE: Michael Caine: My eye for the ladies led to stardom

The singer is then given a pretend jab before bursting into his 1983 hit, I’m Still Standing.

The producer behind the scenes then tells the super-star that they’ll let him know whether he is successful or not to make it to the advert, to which he retorts: “Well at this short notice you won’t find anyone bigger!”

It’s then Michael’s turn to “act” his way into the main commercial, with his audition beginning in the chair as he looks meaningfully into the camera, telling viewers that the injection “doesn’t hurt”.

“Not many people know that,” he pointed out, using his famous catch phrase.

Other vaccines are being developed and will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.

So far, millions of people have been given a vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare and no long-term complications have been reported.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed the government are on track to offer the vaccine to all over 50s, vulnerable groups & health and care staff by May 2021.

“It’s an ambitious target but I know we can hit it,” he wrote on Twitter.

source: express.co.uk