President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens not to share false claims about COVID-19 vaccines on social media platforms and popular messaging app WhatsApp.
Ramaphosa yesterday announced the country will move to tighter lockdown regulations for 14 days, amid the escalating numbers of COVID-19 infections in SA.
South Africa is currently in the throes of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of cases reported daily breaching the 15 000 mark, as at 27 June. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases is just over 1.9 million and the death toll is 59 900. The recovery rate is 88.7%.
Authorities said at the weekend that the third wave is being driven by the Delta variant first identified in India. Last night, Ramaphosa confirmed the Delta variant has now been detected in five of the provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the rise of misinformation about the coronavirus around the world. The rollout of vaccines for the virus has also resulted in misinformation spread on social media platforms.
Although scientific evidence shows vaccines are effective, safe and can save lives, Ramaphosa stated there is still a lot of misinformation being circulated about the COVID-19 vaccine.
“False stories are being spread on WhatsApp groups, on social media, and by word of mouth about the COVID-19 vaccine, claiming the vaccine is not safe, that it can make you sick, or that it doesn’t work.
“I have said it before, and I wish to say it again: please think long and hard before you press share or send. Please consider the harm you may be causing. You are spreading panic, fear and confusion at a time when we can ill afford it.”
The president advised that if people have any questions about the vaccines, they must consult the information being provided by the Department of Health (DOH) and from doctors.
“You may also have questions as to whether the vaccines currently being used are effective in preventing severe illness or hospitalisation from the new variant.
“There is evidence that the vaccines we are using in South Africa are effective against the Delta variant.”
Albeit it slow, the health department has commenced with the national vaccination programme, with 2.7 million people vaccinated, so far.
Last Friday, the DOH announced online registrations for citizens between the ages of 50 and 59 years will open on 1 July, with vaccinations scheduled to begin on 15 July.
Government hopes to inoculate 46.2 million South Africans by March 2022.
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