WASHINGTON — Top Pentagon officials are disappointed in the results of their $10 million ‘It’s Just a Little Prick’ awareness campaign to encourage military personnel to take the Covid-19 vaccine. The costly campaign resulted in only 10 additional vaccinations, meaning the cost per jab was roughly one million dollars.

The Pentagon fast-tracked several marketing campaigns to encourage voluntary vaccination after recent surveys showed almost one-third of troops on active duty or in the National Guard had declined to take the vaccine.

“We tried ‘Viral Virus Tik Toks’ and a few flash mobs of medics,” said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the chief medical officer for the Defense Department. “But our biggest push was for ‘The Little Prick’ campaign. Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that despite our efforts, it has resulted in only a small amount of vaccinations. And most of those were just confused sailors.” 

Launched in early March, the ‘Little Prick’ campaign featured posters, social media posts, and leaflets encouraging troops to “get a little prick” and take the vaccine. Stickers proclaiming “I got a little prick” were given to service members to wear after the jab.