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South Africa’s vaccination rollout programme is hastening, with over seven million vaccine doses administered to date. However, the debate on whether or not to get the vaccine continues.
In fact, seven in 10 South Africans have little or no trust in the government’s ability to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, a new Afrobarometer survey shows.
As the third wave of COVID-19 infections spreads across South Africa, the government is promoting vaccination as the way to end the pandemic. As of July 2021, the Department of Health’s data indicates that more than 2.4 million South Africans have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 2020, and more than 70 000 have lost their lives to the disease.
With a large number of people contracting the virus and the death rate climbing, one would think South Africans would be taking the necessary steps to safeguard themselves and their families by being vaccinated. Considering, vaccines are a proven method of assisting humankind in dealing with viruses.
However, according to Afrobarometer, the bulk of South Africans are dead against the vaccine and the vaccination rollout programme.
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. The SA Afrobarometer team, led by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and 94 Research, interviewed 1,600 adult South Africans in May-June 2021. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
According to the survey research network’s key findings, less than three in 10 South Africans (28%) say they trust the government “somewhat” or “a lot” to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Seven in 10 express “just a little” (27%) or no trust at all (43%).
Adding to this, a majority (54%) of people say they are “somewhat unlikely” (12%) or “very unlikely” (42%) to try to get vaccinated against the virus. This news is alarming, considering the government has nothing to do with the manufacturing process or administration of the vaccine. Plus, the planet is using the same product as South Africa but are desperately scrambling to get everyone protected against this threatening problem, while South Africans are still caught up in conspiracy and opinion.
Moreover and surprisingly, older South Africans, those with no formal education, men, and rural residents express a greater inclination to receive a COVID-19 shot than younger, more educated, female, and urban citizens.
A troubling finding is that almost half (47%) of the participants in the survey believe that prayer is more effective than a vaccine in preventing COVID-19 infection. Only a quarter (25%) believe vaccines are more effective.
Please, separate fiction from fact by sourcing your information from ONLY credible media and medical sources. Vaccines have literally extended the life expectancy of our species; the COVID vaccine is just another one on this long list. Get vaccinated! It’s better than lying in a hospital bed with a ventilator keeping you alive.
What are your thoughts on the above-mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 1
Hi South Africans I was born in Newcastle i truly believe in the Vaccination it does save life . Yes Prayer does help but God gave man wisdom to help himself in this earth. vaccine has cured other deadlý diseases on earth. Sò be vaccinated before it’s too late I have had my vacation.