Hampshire doctor uses TikTok to encourage young people to get vaccinated
Dr Tasnim Jara is tackling Covid-19 misinformation on social media
Last updated 11th Jun 2021
A young Hampshire doctor using TikTok to tackle Covid-19 misinformation says her videos are encouraging young people to get a vaccine.
Dr Tasnim Jara, 26, is part of Team Halo, a group of scientists, doctors and health professionals who voluntarily make videos on social media, answering questions about Covid-19 vaccines to prevent misinformation.
Using light-hearted videos, explainers and even films of themselves receiving a vaccine, Team Halo has amassed more than 95 million views.
With the NHS rollout of vaccines to the 25-29 age group starting earlier this week, both doctors said they felt TikTok was the best platform to reach a younger demographic.
Dr Jara works in Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital as an A&E doctor and makes short videos in Bangla - the Bengali language - to tackle Covid-19 and vaccine-related misinformation.
Dr Jara's health awareness videos have been viewed for more than 280 million minutes and she has gained more than 800,000 followers on YouTube, and 870,000 on Facebook
She said she makes these because in her community a common area of misinformation has been around the safety of vaccines, with many concerned about the rapid pace of the development of jabs.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been no shortage of scare stories, misinformation, and myths surrounding Covid-19 and vaccines,'' Dr Jara said.
"If people reject vaccines because of reliable information being inaccessible, we will lose many lives that could have been saved. So, I joined Team Halo.
"Thousands of people have commented on Team Halo videos with positive feedback. Some say that our videos have helped them make the decision to take the vaccine, others say the videos have clarified their misconception.''
Dr Jara added: "Please listen to experts from trusted bodies like the JCVI, MHRA, NHS, WHO or visit their websites.
"On social media, you can follow Team Halo guides and verified pages of national and international health authorities.''