A Merton GP has found TikTok fame after making “life-saving” videos to encourage COVID-19 vaccination take-up among young people.
Dr Sekeram Mohan, GP at Wideway Medical Centre in Merton, made a series of fun TikTok films to combat coronavirus disinformation online and answer common questions raised by patients.
His work could not have come at a better time after this morning it was revealed under-40s will be offered an alternative to AstraZeneca in a bid to tackle vaccine hesitancy after reports of extremely rare blood clots, following a recommendation by the JCVI.
Dr Mohan said: “I try to get life-saving messages across in a fun engaging way.
“TikTok is a good platform to reach out to younger audiences, now the vaccine is gradually being made available to younger people.”
One of Dr Mohan’s videos has been viewed over 45,000 times and he has racked up hundred of views across his channel.
He observed many young people are easily bored by long videos so he took to TikTok to create short educational clips that will get people talking to their friends and families.
“I try to keep messages fun but with an educational element,” he added.
Following the success of his videos, Dr Mohan is now speaking about social prescribing – where patients are told how they can exercise and beat isolation by joining social groups and community activities.
TikTok say the app has brought inspiration and joy to people around the world throughout the pandemic and they have worked with trusted public health organisations and experts to transmit reliable information to the community.
Their in-app coronavirus resource hub, which has been viewed over 2.6 billion times, regularly updates users with guidance about vaccines and COVID-19 from the WHO and British Red Cross.
From next Thursday at 11pm TikTok have partnered with NowThis to launch a series called VIRAL, hosted by Infectious Disease Researcher Laurel Bristow.
Their aim is to “close the information gap, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and inform our community.”
Dr Mohan can be found on TikTok at @docmerton and can also be found on Twitter @SekeramMohan.
Find out more about who is currently eligible and how to get vaccinated in south west London.
Featured Image screenshot of Dr Mohan’s TikTok
