Bono, Penelope Cruz, David Oyelowo and Kumail Nanjiani Lend Voices to Pro-Vaccine Animated Series ‘Pandemica’

The ONE Campaign, the Bono co-founded global health and anti-poverty organization, has debuted an animated series titled Pandemica that aims to raise awareness of the importance of vaccines in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

The story unfolds as a pandemic purgatory that finds its characters unsure how long they will be stuck there. Pandemica features the voice talents of (in alphabetical order) Patrick Adams, Samuel Arnold, Bono, Connie Britton, Penélope Cruz, Meg Donnelly, Danai Gurira, Nick Kroll, Laura Marano, Kumail Nanjiani, David Oyelowo, Phoebe Robinson, Michael Sheen, Wanda Sykes and Calum Worthy.

Rolling out on ONE Campaign’s social channels, the series arrives amid multiple reports citing the inequity of vaccine distribution across the world. Per the New York Times, rich countries have been hoarding vaccines, in some cases purchasing or reserving more than enough doses to immunize entire populations and then some. While the United States continues to expand vaccine distribution across all age groups, some countries are still struggling to get doses to older and more vulnerable populations.

“Pandemica’s animated world animates a simple truth — that where you live shouldn’t determine whether you get these life-saving shots,” said U2 frontman Bono, co-founder of ONE and (RED). “Even while many of us still wait our turn, we need to commit to making sure that billions of people around the world aren’t left at the back of the line. It’s the right thing to do, obviously, but it’s also the only way out of this pandemic for all of us. If the vaccine isn’t everywhere, this pandemic isn’t going anywhere.”

Cruz, in a statement, said she hopes that everyone who watches Pandemica will take action to ensure that no one gets left behind. “Pandemica is a compelling illustration of the inequality around the world.” Added Oyelowo: “This virus thrives on inequality, and right now billions of people around the world are seeing the promise of a vaccine, but not the opportunity to receive it. We must step up and do what it takes to end this pandemic for everyone, everywhere.”

The Pandemica series is part of ONE’s ONE World Campaign, and it comes on the heels of ONE’s #PassTheMic campaign that featured global health, economic, policy experts, frontline workers and celebrities banding together to discuss the need for a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Illustrated by artist Andrew Rae with animation by Titmouse and music and sound design by Father, Pandemica was created and produced in partnership with Hive. More about the series can be found here.

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