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Strangely still a debated topic, due to conspiracy and general false information, the COVID-19 vaccine, unlike the beloved annual flu vaccine, remains a contentious topic for scores of people. Choosing instead to opt for pseudoscience-based methods or non-approved products, said people are either inhaling steam or opting to repeatedly ingest a medical-grade deworming medication, Ivermectin—in preventing or treating an evolving virus.
With many people, especially the elderly, choosing to ignore the medical world and instead take advice from an unqualified source, promoting the use of the dewormer in preventing COVID-19, Mediclinic Southern Africa has voiced its stance on the use of Ivermectin for the prevention of the coronavirus.
In a statement, Mediclinic Southern Africa stated, “While some studies have claimed that Ivermectin prevented progression to severe disease or assisted in the recovery of COVID-19 patients, there is currently still insufficient clinical data to recommend the use of Ivermectin for the prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19. It is therefore not recommended in evidence-based guidelines, but rather in a research setting until such time as there is sufficient proof of its efficacy.”
Moreover, the private hospital group explains that in a statement issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on 9 April 2021, it was reiterated that there was insufficient scientific evidence on the efficacy of Ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. This is despite SAPHRA previously approving the use of Ivermectin for compassionate use.
With this in mind, Mediclinic Southern Africa pointed out that Dr Emmanuel Taban observed that two out of three patients presenting for COVID-19 related care at Mediclinic Midstream during this third wave were exposed to Ivermectin as they believed it would prevent them from contracting COVID-19 or from progression to severe disease.
In line with the above, more research on the prolonged use of the livestock dewormer and its adverse effects on the human body is being examined. “Although some of the recorded side effects observed from the use of Ivermectin include deranged liver functions tests, post-mortems were not performed on his deceased patients who were using Ivermectin.”
Dr Taban states, “At this stage, there is no cure for COVID-19, nor prophylactic medication. Vaccination along with regular sanitising, the wearing of a mask, avoiding spaces with poor ventilation and social distancing, are the only measures to reduce the risk of infection by the coronavirus.”
With the large medical institute calling for attention and consciousness to the topic, considering the virus can be fatal and with factual cases being presented, not opinion—people are encouraged to get vaccinated for the sake of their and everyone’s lives and not just to take any medication without a qualified medical professional prescribing it.
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