What did Olivia Rodrigo say about covid-19 vaccines at the White House?

Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo was invited to the White House on Wednesday as the Biden administration attempts to increase the vaccination rate amongst young people. The 18-year-old’s debut album ‘Sour’ has been at the top of the Billboard 200 for the past three weeks and she boasts an enormous social media following.

From the White House briefing room podium, Rodrigo told the reports gathered: "I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination.”

Rodrigo was also there to record various pro-vaccine videos to be shared on her own social media platform, encouraging her fans to get vaccination, according to White House officials.

Rodrigo is “in awe” of Biden and Fauci

Olivia Rodrigo has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top of the album charts but starred in numerous Disney+ television series before embarking on a solo music career. Her debut single, Driver’s License, was only released in January 2021 but it reached number one in the United States and paved the way for the album in May.

In her White House speech, Rodrigo spoke of her pride at being asked to help with the government’s vaccination effort, saying: "I'm in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done and was happy to help lend my support to this important initiative.”

She continued: “It's important to have conversations with friends and family members encouraging all communities to get vaccinated, and actually get to a vaccination site, which you can do more easily than ever before, given how many sites we have and how easy it is to find them at vaccines.gov."

One video already posted online sees the singer say: "It doesn't matter if you're young and healthy, getting the vaccine is about protecting yourself, your friends and your family. Let's get vaccinated!"

White House will use social media figures to boost digital strategy

The New York Times reports that Rob Flaherty, the White House director of digital strategy, is focusing on a new online strategy that looks to involve the likes of Rodrigo and other famous faces in the government’s vaccine messaging. As well as the press briefing, Rodrigo was filmed walking the halls of the West Wing, meeting with Dr. Anthony Fauci and talking to White House officials to create educational content.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that this would remain a key part of the administration’s efforts to get young people vaccinated. She told those gathered on Wednesday: "We need to reach people, meet people where they are and speaking to young people -- people who are under the age of 18, many of whom as we've seen across the country are huge Olivia Rodrigo fans -- hearing from her that ... getting vaccinated is a way to keep yourself safe.”