Covid-19 vaccine saves lives, says Deputy President
South Africa’s vice president assured the populace that medical experts have thoroughly tested the vaccine and found it to be a safe and effective way to prevent severe Covid-19 illness.
SOUTH Africa’s vice president, David Mabuza, in his capacity as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Covid-19 vaccines, debunked the myth that the vaccine kills.
He also assured people that medical experts have thoroughly tested and found the vaccine to be safe and effective in preventing severe Covid-19 illness.
“Vaccination protects people’s lives. We’ve seen all those who have died because of Covid-19, and have been reassured that this vaccine is the only defence against this deadly disease. This notion that it kills or ‘trips the main switch’, as some would like to believe, is not true. The vaccine doesn’t kill,” he stressed.
Read also: ‘Myths and misinformation’ fuelling Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, says Zikalala
He noted that vaccination coverage across the country has continued to increase due to a stable vaccine supply.
Zizi Kodwa, the deputy minister responsible for state security, said government is determined to deal with some of the myths that drive vaccine hesitancy, especially in the 18- to 34-year-old age group.
“However, we’re also worried because even at the age of 60 and above, vaccination numbers are low. We hope our message today will turn the situation around,” Kodwa said.
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