‘Vaccinated people can still infect others’: What is the point of taking the vaccine you may ask?

Dr Sangxa Rozani, a UK-based medical doctor in Manchester unpacked on how no vaccine has, or can, claim to be one hundred percent preventive but they can however protect people from serious illness and possible death.

“We know that although children are vaccinated against many diseases including TB, measles, and mumps, to name a few, they can still contract these viruses. However, while some of these diseases would have been life threatening, vaccines have greatly reduced their intensity and impact.

“The Covid-19 vaccine is no different. With almost three billion people having been fully vaccinated around the world, approximately 11 million of whom are in South Africa, we know without a doubt, that vaccines have reduced the incidents of serious illness and deaths.”

However, Dr Rozani said, as with all other vaccines, you can still contract the virus even if you have been vaccinated.

You may ask therefore what is the point of taking the vaccine?

“Covid-19 uses its “spike” protein to enter the cells of your body, following which the virus multiplies rapidly, making you very sick.

“When you have been vaccinated, the vaccine teaches your body’s immune system to manufacture a copy of the “spike” protein and begin to create antibodies to fight the virus. If you are then infected, your body “sees” the spike protein and triggers the immune response to fight the virus.

“We are also seeing daily, in people who are infected following vaccination, that the intensity of the infection is reduced and the possibility of death minimised.

“Since your body has been “prepared” to fight the infection, it does not have to work as hard and because the infection is not as severe due to this preparation, your body’s response can be far more effective. Very simply, the vaccine gives your body a head start to respond to the virus.

“Because of this, as well as the proven safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, we encourage as many people as possible to take up the opportunity to be vaccinated because there are sufficient vaccines in the country. We should ideally get to at least 80% of our population being vaccinated. We are now at 25%.

“Vaccinated people can still infect others and should therefore continue to apply the non-pharmaceutical interventions including, wearing a mask, sanitising, maintain social distance and being in well ventilated spaces. As with vaccinations, these measures can protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Despite all the evidence we have about the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines, there are still concerns about its safety

The National Department of Health (NDoH) reassures the public that the vaccines are safe!

In a statement issued recently it read, “With almost 20 million people in the country having received at least one dose of the vaccine not a single death can be attributed to the vaccine!

“The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) also evaluates every vaccine for its safety and effectiveness before it is approved for use in the country. This is irrespective of whether the vaccine has been approved by another international body.

“Should you however wish to report a side effect following the vaccination, you can do so at the health facility at which the vaccines was administered, on the Med Safety App managed by SAHPRA, or by calling the Covid-19 hotline on 0800 029 999.

“Although numbers of infections are decreasing on a daily basis, we must use this time to encourage as many people as possible to be vaccinated. This will be the best form of defence to protect lives and livelihoods when South Africa experiences the fourth wave of the pandemic. It is up to each and every one of us to do the right thing. Will we do it for our country, ourselves and our loved ones? #RollUpYourSleeves and Vaccinate today!”

NDoH Contact Centre number

The NDoH contact centres are able to assist with vaccination, registration and booking support, Covid-19 health related queries as well as post vaccination medical care enquiries.

The contact centre is available on: 0800 029 999.

The sites are open from 07:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 18:00 on weekends and public holidays.

For people wanting information outside of these hours you can visit the SA Coronavirus website or use the WhatsApp Support Line: 0600 123456.