McDonald’s redesigns cups to spread COVID-19 vaccine awareness message

McDonald’s is teaming up with the Biden administration to raise COVID-19 vaccine awareness and help customers find vaccine appointments near them.

The fast-food giant announced Tuesday it will promote the White House and Department of Health and Human Services’ “We Can Do This” campaign on its Time Square billboard later this month and on McCafe coffee cups and delivery orders at all U.S. restaurants starting in July.

The revamped McCafe hot cups and new McDelivery seal stickers will direct customers to vaccines.gov to learn more about how they can find vaccine appointments near them and protect themselves from COVID-19.

As of Monday, about 46% of people in the U.S. have received at least one COVID-19 shot and about 34.8% of people are fully vaccinated, according to USA TODAY’s Vaccine Tracker.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that more than 150 million people have been vaccinated and millions more are getting vaccinated each day.

“Ending this pandemic requires all of us working together to do our part, including encouraging our friends and family to get vaccinated,” Becerra said. “This effort will help more people make informed decisions about their health and learn about steps they can take to protect themselves and their communities.”HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that more than 150 million people have been vaccinated and millions more are getting vaccinated each day.

“Ending this pandemic requires all of us working together to do our part, including encouraging our friends and family to get vaccinated,” Becerra said. “This effort will help more people make informed decisions about their health and learn about steps they can take to protect themselves and their communities.”

In April, HHS launched the “We Can Do This: Live” initiative to increase vaccine confidence and encourage vaccination. The initiative features actress Eva Longoria, Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire investor Mark Cuban, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, the co-hosts of “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and people from NASCAR, the NBA and WNBA, according to the public campaign.

McDonald’s has more than 39,000 restaurants in 100-plus countries with nearly 14,000 U.S. locations.

“We all want to protect ourselves and our loved ones and be together with our communities again,” said Genna Gent, McDonald’s USA vice president for global public policy and government relations, in a statement. “McDonald’s is excited to be doing our part for the people we serve, providing them with simple information that can help keep them safe. This is a team effort – it takes all of us.”

McDonald’s announced a partnership in July 2020 with the Mayo Clinic for COVID-19 infection prevention best practices. The chain started requiring that customers wear face masks in August.

Other businesses have tried to do their part to encourage consumers to get the vaccine. At Krispy Kreme with a valid COVID-19 vaccination card, customers can get a free glazed doughnut every day through the end of 2021.

Read more at usatoday.com