There is campaign to discredit vaccines - Phaahla

Phaahla was briefing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the country's vaccination programme earlier on Tuesday.

He said the department remains concerned about the vaccine 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 are increasingly hesitant to get jabbed.

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

Phaahla said he believes there is a campaign to discredit vaccines.

“The issue of vaccine hesitancy and what we can do about it. We believe it needs a multidimensional approach, different age groups, different constituencies transmitting same message with different voices and in different ways.

“What we accept is that there is a fairly strong, well-orchestrated and organized fake news campaign to discredit the vaccinations and unfortunately in some cases we have found even people who are healthcare professionals who are also part of this,” said Phaahla.

Phaahla says the department is working with celebrities and influencers to promote the vaccine.

“Now, our approach is to improve the communication using various mediums. We are already working with a number of volunteers in the media, who are volunteering to partner with us to bring in sports people,creative people, artists to promote the vaccination. We believe that when we bring influencers and celebrities this will go a long way.”

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