South Africans are hesitant to receive COVID vaccines due to concerns about side effects- survey report

Thousands of South African nationals were hesitant, according to a govt-backed online survey released on Thursday, due to concerns about potential side effects and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

In terms of confirmed infections and deaths, South Africa has been the hardest hit by the pandemic, with roughly half of its forty million adults receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It, like many other African and other continents, has struggled to convince sceptics to get vaccinated.

According to the October and November survey, the 18 to 34 age range was the most hesitant, at 39 percent, with whites being the most likely racial group to refuse the vaccination, at 48 percent. The University of Johannesburg and the Human Sciences Research Council conducted the fifth round of the survey, which began 2 years ago, with 6,633 participants.

According to a presentation on the survey's findings, "The analysis shows that the large percentage of those who express reservations about taking the vaccination are not against science, but are voicing legitimate and rationale reservations."

"As a result, health care messaging should continue to provide info to reassure this group about the side effects and efficiency of the vaccine."