Telstra CEO Andrew Penn has announced Telstra Plus Points for customers who are fully vaccinated, a change to the mobile network name – Telstra #LetsVaxx – and a social media campaign to bust myths around vaccines.

“This is a global emergency and to beat this we need to come together – just as we’ve done in the face of natural disasters and hardships gone by. I urge Australians to get vaccinated as soon as possible and we want to reward our customers for doing so,” said Penn.

From late September, fully vaccinated members of the company’s Telstra Plus loyalty program will receive 2,500 Telstra Plus Points. When claiming their points, members will go into a 100 million point major prize draw, with 20 winners to receive five million points each as well as up to $3,500 credit to cover the cost of their eligible Telstra services for a year.

“If you’ve had your jabs, we’ll be giving your Telstra Plus Points balance a shot in the arm as well,” said Penn.

“Australians getting vaccinated will make an incredible difference – we can help protect each other, lessen the financial hardship on families, and reduce the toll on our wellbeing caused by the uncertainty and isolation from rolling lockdowns.

“To help ease the burden and boredom of lockdowns, we’re also giving all our Telstra Plus members, regardless of their vaccination status, a digital care package that includes a Telstra TV Box Office movie on us, discounts on a food delivery service and access to discounts in the Telstra Plus Rewards store.”

More than 3.5 million Telstra Plus members earn points every time they pay for eligible services with Telstra and the bonus 2,500 Telstra Plus Points is the equivalent to the points they would earn from paying a Telstra bill worth $250.

Penn said Telstra mobiles would also be used to visibly remind customers of the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

“After the success of changing our network name to Telstra #StaySafe during the COVID-19 pandemic, our customers will now see on their compatible mobile devices Telstra #LetsVaxx.”

Telstra will also launch a social media campaign to bust conspiracy theories around COVID 19 vaccinations, again enlisting the help of leading satirist Mark Humphries.

“Mark’s sharp satire successfully busted conspiracy theories around 5G and now we’re calling on him to help cut through the noise and debunk COVID-19 vaccination myths,” Penn said.

Telstra hopes this campaign and its customer incentives are received with as much enthusiasm as its recently announced employee initiative.

“Our thank you campaign follows the recent incentive for employees to get vaccinated with a reward the equivalent of $200 redeemed through our employee rewards program.

“We’ve had an amazing response, with more than 5,500 employees taking up the offer in just a week.

“We know some of our customers may not choose to or be able to get vaccinated, but the results of our employee offer have shown there’s a groundswell of support and understanding that increasing the vaccination rate is our best way forward – and we feel it’s important to spread that message.

“There’s no doubt that lockdowns have meant people are relying on our services more than ever before but we all know there’s nothing like coming together as a family to celebrate a birthday or catching up with friends in person.”

From late September, Telstra Plus members will be able to upload the document number from their COVID- 19 digital certificate number via the My Telstra app with the points to appear in their balance shortly after. Telstra will communicate with its customers once all details are finalised and the program is open to receive vaccination updates.

Customers who aren’t yet members of the rewards program can access the bonus 2,500 Telstra Plus Points and the prize draw by joining Telstra Plus before the end of January next year. To join Telstra Plus you must be over 18 and have an eligible service on a Telstra business or consumer account.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 2 September 2021.