SAHPRA, govt heighten calls for vaccinations amid hesitancy

A recent study by the University of Johannesburg (UJ)'s Centre for Social Change and the Human Sciences Research Council shows parts of the population have growing hesitancy. 

The study, with over 7,000 participants, shows vaccine acceptance declined amongst white adults from 56 percent to 52 percent. 

Government has also expressed concern about the declined interest for vaccination from the general male population.  

SAHPRA’s Mafora Matlala believes regulatory bodies have checks and balances in place to ensure vaccine safety and put South Africans at ease.  

“Monitoring of safety of Covid-19 vaccines and communicating any risk is a critical priority for SAHPRA so we do not compromise when it comes to monitoring safety,” Matlala said on Wednesday during a media briefing.

“What’s important to note is that the serious AAFIs (adverse events following immunisation) are extremely rare for the Covid-19 vaccines based on the currently available evidence and most of the AAFIs that we have received in the system are non-serious and they are mild,” she added. 

According to Matlala, some 2 000 adverse events had been reported since the start of the vaccine rollout in February.

This is compared to the 9.5 million jabs administered. 

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SAHPRA was joined by the National Press Club and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). 

GCIS’ Micheal Currin admitted there were some hiccups but reiterated calls for more citizens to roll up their sleeves for the Johnson and Johnson or Pfizer jabs.  

“One death is one death too many,” he said.

“I know there are deficits of trust - I know Digital Vibes didn’t do anyone any favours, but at the end of the day, the democratic state that we have is one founded on very solid science and very solid principles and ethics,” Currin added.