Ding Dong Joins Health Ministry’s Every Vax Counts Campaign
There have been mixed reactions to Ding Dong joining the Ministry of Health’s Every Vax Counts campaign. On Thursday afternoon Minister of Health Dr. Christopher Tufton unveiled a poster on his Instagram page, of the Genna Bounce artiste repping for the islandwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Dr. Tufton’s post was captioned; “Save yuhself! @dingdongravers knows that #EveryVaxCounts when it comes to protecting yourself and those closest 🙏🏾”.
Superimposed on Ding Dong’s image was a quote saying: “I got vaccinated because it is the way moving forward to protect myself and my family.”
Ding Dong was cheered on by many of his fans including shanpalmer_ and beverleyrichards87.
“FINALLY! 🙌🏾 Representation from the dancehall community. The public education campaign is critical now!” shanpalmer_ said while beverleyrichards87 added: “Big up youself Ding Dong, now you can Sing and Dance.❤️ 👏 😂”
He was also congratulated by others who said he was setting a good example for the rest of the nation to follow.
“Thank you @dingdongravers. This is everything!!!! You just don’t know what you have done! Great example,” flamezboss said, while giffojess noted: “Big up @dingdongravers for using his platform to show that he’s vaccinated and he’s doing well. 🙌💯💯”.
“Big up yourself big man move this👏👏👏 a step in the right direction,” aries_boss_lady wrote.
There were many however, who ridiculed the Ministry of Health for its decision to use Ding Dong to promote health-seeking behaviors.
“So who in their right mind can listen to a artiste that promotes drinking alcohol and smoking then vaccine. The artiste only cares about money,” dreamnaturally said.
“Dancehall artist is the last person I’ll take seriously; maybe if it was amari I’ll probably take the bait,” anthony_swade29 quipped.
“He was thoroughly enjoying Dream without a mask,” one follower wrote, referring to Ding Dong’s performance at the recent Wet N Wild Party at the Kool Running Water Park in Negril, while caustic flexnatural wrote: “Who can listen to this puppet!”
Some commenters told the Minister that the only artiste who had the requisite influence to get people vaccinated, was Vybz Kartel.
“Ding Dong won’t pull ppl to get vaccinated @christufton use @vybzkartel and see if the whole Jamaica nuh vaccinate..#freeworldboss,” richie_smizzleofficial said.
Another Gaza fan, dj_datbowy expressed the same sentiment that the Anyweather artiste could help the Ministry to achieve its goal.
“Mr @christufton if u want the people them to really vaccinate best person fi use a @vybzkartel fi seh him get vaccinate cause a unuh seh he control the population of Jamaican… 🙌🙌🙌 just saying though,” he stated.
There were other skeptics though, who thought that Ding Dong’s involvement in the vaccination campaign was solely for personal gain.
“This has nothing to do with protection for your family it as everything to do with if you don’t get vaccinated you can’t Travel to certain countries,” forever21misskimmy said.
For monica_tyra, Ding Dong’s attempt at promoting inoculation, was a little too late.
“Long time uno should a do this even before vaccine come out. People a drop like fly now and uno nah get no bookings,” she said.
Ding Dong did not share the Minister’s post on his IG page, but he posted clasped and clapping hand icon in response to Dr. Tufton’ post, evoking another round of condemnations and praise.
“@dingdongravers yes mi yute nuff respect always knew you’re a smart breddah,” i_sean_neill id, while esanrichards dded: “@dingdongravers Please encourage your family and relatives and neighbors to take the vaccine bro.. Help them”.
Other followers like august_youth accused Ding Dong of being a double-crosser.
“@dingdongravers sellout,” he wrote while likklerich added: “@philkimmanning sell out dat das why mi rate kartel dem yute ya wi do anything fi money.”
“@dingdongravers continue to promote drinking alcohol, smoking and vaccines you will have have long life,” flexnatural id rcticlly.
There were others for whom Ding Dong’s involvement was immaterial, as they were more concerned with long lines and protracted wait times at vaccination blitz sites.
“Yes get vaccinated- sounds good right? The reality is when one makes their way to these centers to be vaccinated, you’re more likely to leave with the virus. The lack of adherence to COVID protocol is ridiculous and counter productive. What’s the point of making an appointment if hundreds of people will bundle together anyway? Vaccinate yes, but beg yuh fix it so it mek sense,” l_i_johnson wrote.
Another of the Minister’s followers, nikumadiaries_realestate suggested he recruited more artistes to get involved in the campaign.
“Ok Chris, we just need Ministry of National Security and Justice, Ministry of Education and a few other ministries to get more entertainers on board for the relevant area of disaster. Baby Cham in his unruly clothes should be excluded though. Unless of course he dons suitable garb for the optics 👀,” he wrote.