During the peak push for the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, companies from Krispy Kreme to Budweiser offered free products to customers who displayed proof of vaccination. NBC aired a “Roll Up Your Sleeves” vaccination special with a star-studded cast, including Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jennifer Hudson. Sesame Street and CNN also hosted a vaccination special.
Turns out, the HHS conceived of, funded, and executed many similar media campaigns through its COVID-19 Community Corps program, which was designed to promote vaccination using “trusted messengers” from different demographics and communities, according to its website.
Judicial Watch obtained 249 pages of HHS documents on the program in early October through a Freedom of Information Act request. The documents show extensive agency plans for targeted advertising campaigns, including ideas like placing “a trusted messenger on the Joe Rogan Show” and asking Tom Brady to make a pro-vaccination video with his parents.