- The star-studded film will be released today ahead of the NHS 73rd birthday to celebrate the success of the vaccination program in support of easing restrictions
- Anyone 18 years or older is entitled to a vaccine, and people are strongly advised to get their second dose
- Watch the movie
Celebrities like Jim Broadbent and David Walliams have teamed up to encourage everyone to get their coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in a new uplifting movie released today (Saturday July 3rd).
The heartwarming film celebrates the success of the vaccination program with the melody The Rhythm of Life, written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields from the 1966 musical classic Sweet Charity, donated by the Cy Coleman estate. in helping to ease the restrictions as outlined in the roadmap.
Conceived and directed by Josie Rourke, the former Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, the short film, written by Rourke and James Graham, will be released before the 73rd birthday of the NHS. First, Jim Broadbent steps into an empty theater before a star cast of David Walliams, Asa Butterfield, Colin Salmon, Derek Jacobi, Don Warrington, Nicola Roberts, Russel Tovey, Sandra Marvin and West End dancers – all dressed in iconic NHS blue – perform take the stage to passionately perform the song
In between dancing, Asa Butterfield urges the audience to “get this vaccine,” Don Warrington advocates, “I got mine!” And Jim Broadbent concludes with “just get the vaccine” to encourage people to do their part to help bring us back into the “rhythm of life”. The film was produced by Charles Finch and Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes at Standalone Pictures.
Comedian, writer and actor David Walliams said:
The NHS has done an absolutely fantastic job getting COVID-19 vaccines in place at such a rate and like in the movie I want to beg everyone to get their vaccine if they call so we can sing it all again – dancing, rhythm of life, the we love.
Actor Jim Broadbent said:
The film gave us the opportunity to show our appreciation and celebration for the introduction of the vaccine in the best way we know.
Thank you to the millions who have already had their vaccinations and please ‘just get your vaccine’ for the rest. Vaccines help us get back to everything we love, and every industry – including the arts – couldn’t be more grateful for every single person who received their vaccine.
The film follows the start of a national campaign calling on people to get their vaccine and join the millions of people who have already had their vaccinations as “every vaccination gives us hope”.
Health and Welfare Minister Sajid Javid said:
Vaccines save lives so it is fantastic to see some of our favorite entertainment stars support the launch of the vital vaccination that is helping this country fight this pandemic.
The evidence is clear: the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. So if you get a call, don’t hesitate to book your appointment as we will do everything we can to get you back to a normal life.
Vaccinated individuals are more likely to develop symptoms of COVID-19 and even less likely to get serious COVID-19, hospitalized, or die from others.
In June, the Prime Minister announced that the second dose would be accelerated for anyone over 40 by shortening the dosing interval from 12 to 8 weeks.
The move follows the advice of the independent experts of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), who took into account the latest available evidence and recommended that the dosing interval be shortened to counter the threat of new variants of concern.
Vaccination Minister Nadhim Zahawi said:
I am very humble every day to see how many people book and receive their vaccinations and join the millions of adults who have already received theirs as the country continues to do its part in defeating this virus.
Vaccines have prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England alone, and each vaccine delivered is another step forward in helping us overcome this pandemic as we fight it side by side.
Latest model analysis by Public Health England (PHE) and the MRC Biostatistics Unit at Cambridge University suggest that the COVID-19 vaccination program has so far prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England alone.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
Vaccines save lives, protect the NHS and make sure we bums get back to their seats safely. Every adult in the country can now get their jab. Thank you to all of these stars for spreading the message. Let’s get them back on the scene by completing the job with the introduction of the vaccine.
ONS polls also show the UK continues to top the list of nations where people are ready to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or have already been vaccinated, and ONS data released on July 2nd shows that More than 9 in 10 (96%) adults reported positive mood towards the vaccine.
Vaccines are free and are available at thousands of vaccination centers, general practitioners’ offices, and pharmacies. About 98% of people live within 10 miles of a vaccination center in England, which includes Riverside Park Stadium, Hull City Hall and Sunderland Nightingale.