Counter the growing trend of vaccine hesitancy

THE government needs to kick-start an effective communication strategy to encourage members of the public to get the Covid-19 jab, and counter the growing trend of vaccine hesitancy in society.

There is enough evidence to suggest that the government has finally turned the corner after it acquired more vaccines.

On Saturday, acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in South Africa, Todd Haskell, went to OR Tambo International Airport to receive 2.8 million Pfizer vaccine doses donated by the US government.

The next and final batch of 5.6 million vaccines is expected to arrive this week.

This is good news for the country’s vaccine roll-out programme, which has been moving at a snail’s pace.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that vaccinating of the 18- to 35-year-olds will open on September 1 demonstrates the government’s confidence about the availability of enough vaccine doses for this cohort.

However, all the good work done to obtain these much-needed vaccines would amount to nothing if people don’t come forward to get the jab.

Unverified reports about people who have died after being inoculated, vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine lobby groups are using social media to undermine the government’s vaccination efforts.

There is enough scientific evidence that vaccines save lives. However, we also need to point out that people have the right to refuse vaccination.

It is therefore key for the country to have a massive vaccination communication strategy that seeks to drive a clear and unambiguous message.

The message should encourage people to vaccinate.

The Health Department is central to this strategy, working together with the scientific community and other social partners.

Celebrities, including actors, musicians and sporting figures should also be brought in to drive the point home. Covid-19 lockdowns have been devastating to the economy, and any hope of a recovery rests on getting the majority of the population vaccinated.