Cupid’s needle? UK under-30s wooed with dating app vaccine bonus
First came the idea of making Covid vaccinations mandatory to go to the pub, while Israel offered free pizza and beer with a shot. Now UK officials have hit on what they hope is an even more persuasive reason for young people to get their jab: more chance of getting a date.
In an eye-catching policy coinciding with the rollout of vaccinations for the under-30s beginning this week, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has teamed up with popular dating apps to encourage take-up of the programme.
Users of Tinder, Match, Hinge, Bumble, Badoo, Plenty of Fish, OurTime and Muzmatch will enjoy a series of benefits if they add their vaccination status to their profile, including virtual badges and stickers.
Most of the apps are also giving people who say they have been vaccinated free bonuses such as a certain number of “boosts”, which promote their profile to potential dates, offering the tantalising prospect of a greater stake in what has already been billed a post-pandemic “summer of love”.
While dating sites and apps cater for all ages, they are predominantly used by younger people, the demographic for which ministers and officials fear vaccine take-up will be lowest, given the reduced chance of serious outcomes from coronavirus.
