Former US presidents Obama, Bush, Clinton and Carter come together to encourage vaccinations

All surviving former presidents, except Trump, take part in ad campaign to promote inoculation

George W Bush stands with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House in 2009. Successive US presidents have got their Iran strategy wrong. AFP

Four surviving members of one of the world's most exclusive clubs united with a message for millions of Americans regarding Covid-19.

Former US presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter want everyone to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

"This vaccine means hope," Mr Obama says in an advert created by the Ad Council, an organisation consisting of US ad agencies who work with companies and various causes.

"You know I'm really looking forward to going to opening day in Texas Rangers stadium with a full stadium," Mr Bush says.

Many Americans are familiar with the Ad Council's various TV campaigns on issues such as bush-fire prevention, emergency preparedness, diversity and foster care adoption.

The organisation, founded in the 1940s, has not been shy about trying to blunt the impact of Covid-19 either, launching various campaigns since the pandemic began.

"These [public service announcements] are intended to reach individual communities with messaging that resonates and addresses each audience's unique motivators and barriers to action," the council said.

"Specific audiences include all Americans, conservatives, black Americans, Hispanic Americans and Gen Z," it said.

Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Rosalynn Carter are briefly featured in the minute-long video.

The campaign is missing one former president, however. Donald Trump, it seems, did not take part in this vaccination awareness campaign.

Mr Trump released a separate statement, attempting to take credit for the US vaccination programme.

"... if I wasn't president, you wouldn't be getting that beautiful 'shot' for 5 years, at best, and probably wouldn't be getting it at all. I hope everyone remembers", Mr Trump wrote.

It is not clear if Mr Trump was asked to be a part of the campaign.

In another ad created by the Ad Council, former presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton are in Washington, standing a safe distance from one another while pushing for citizens to get vaccinated.

"Right now the Covid-19 vaccines are available to millions of Americans," Mr Clinton says in the ad. "The science is clear, these vaccines will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease," Mr Bush says.

The theme and logo of the campaign consist of a bandage with the phrase: "It's up to you."

According to the most recent data, at least 30 million people in the US have been fully vaccinated, with President Biden recently announcing that his administration secured the purchase of 200 million additional Covid-19 vaccine doses.

There is a battle being fought, however, against misconceptions and fears about the Covid-19 vaccines, prompting many prominent public figures and health officials to come forward to encourage vaccinations.

"It's the first step to ending the pandemic and moving the country forward," Mr Obama says in the ad campaign. "Soon, the vaccines will be available to everyone."