Medical sector applauds collaborative efforts to ramp up vaccinations

With close to 8% of all South Africans fully vaccinated, and registration now open for over-35-year-olds to get the jab, the government's vaccination campaign is finally starting to gain momentum.

Healthcare workers on the frontline are beginning to feel the benefits of government's efforts to vaccinate as many South Africans as possible, in the hope that herd immunity will offer some protection against the spread of the virus. “The rise in infections across the country has put severe strain on medical resources, and the more people who vaccinate, the sooner we can alleviate some of this pressure and further lift lockdown restrictions,” says Dr Sheri Fanaroff, of the Gauteng General Practitioners’ Collaboration (GGPC).

Until recently, Gauteng was the epicenter of the resurgence of infections, accounting for an average of 65% daily new cases in June. Most of these infections were attributed to the Delta variant, which is proving to be more transmissible. As this variant spreads so easily, it has become even more important for healthcare workers, civil society and the private sector to ramp up efforts to encourage more people to register for their vaccines.

“Every person vaccinated is a step closer to attaining herd immunity,” says Dr Fanaroff. South Africa is currently offering two vaccines - the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination, and the two-dose Pfizer. To be fully vaccinated, those receiving the Pfizer vaccine must have both doses, explains Dr Fanaroff.

“The vaccine rollout may have started slowly, but we are seeing how collaboration between government, business and other organisations is encouraging more people to register, '' says Fanaroff. It is encouraging to see the private sector on board offering their premises as vaccination sites, or by transporting staff to get their shots, she adds. “We welcome the initiatives of companies like Wimpy who are thanking citizens for getting vaccinated by rewarding them with a free cup of coffee within 48 hours of their vaccination date. South Africans respond well to incentives so hopefully initiatives like this will encourage more people to register,” says Fanaroff

While the number of people vaccinated each day is rapidly approaching our daily target of 300 000, the Department of Health hopes to reach seven million people over the age of 35 this month (August), of which at least one million must be older than 60.  The donation this week of 2.8 million Pfizer vaccines from the United States will certainly boost these efforts.

The good news is that registration numbers are expected to increase now that the 35 years and older age group are eligible, says Dr Daniel Israel, also from the GGPC. Israel advocates that “Having the COVID-19 vaccination is a duty, not a right.” The Department of Health says a record 1.5 million people registered within 48 hours of registration opening for this age group. “They make up the lion's share of the country’s workforce, so it stands to reason that this age group has a vested interest in things returning to normal as soon as possible. Many have elderly parents and families to look after, so they want protection against the virus,” Israel adds. They are also more likely to travel.

Stats SA’s COVID data shows significant infection rates in this age group, with almost two out of every hundred people contracting the disease, and approximately 5% of those infected in this age group needing hospitalisation. “We are hoping now that this group will take their parents and elderly family members with them when they get vaccinated,” Dr Israel says. “The low turnout of pensioners is a concern, and we appeal to younger people to help their elderly relatives to register online and travel to the vaccination sites,” Fanaroff concludes.

Unfortunately, the chorus from anti-vaxxers who refuse to get their vaccine continues to hinder government’s mass communication drive, as well as efforts to promote vaccinations. “Using social media and other platforms, anti-vaxxers spread myths and misinformation to push their agenda doing immeasurable damage to our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19,” concludes Dr Israel.

A COVID-19 Q&A with the Gauteng General Practitioners’ Collaboration (GGPC).

Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

The vaccine does not contain the live virus that could make you sick. You may get mild symptoms, such as fever, muscle pains or a sore arm as your body builds protection against the virus. But it’s impossible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

If I can still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated, why should I bother to get the vaccine?

As we don’t yet have herd immunity (when a large portion of the population is immune to an infectious disease, either through vaccination or antibodies from previous infection), breakthrough infections are still possible. This refers to people who get infected even though they have had a vaccine. As more people get vaccinated, the risk of breakthrough infections will be lower. There is no vaccine that can prevent illness 100% of the time.

Am I being injected with COVID-19 when I get my vaccine?

No, the vaccine does not contain active SARS-CoV-2. They contain inactivated pieces of viral protein that are unable to replicate.

Does the vaccine contain a tracking microchip?

This myth was started by anti-vaxxers who distributed a video containing outdated footage and manipulated images. The vaccine does not contain a barcode or a tracking device.

Will the vaccine change my DNA?

Both COVID-19 vaccines instruct our cells to build protection (antibodies and T-cell immunity) against the virus. The vaccine’s ingredients never enter the nucleus of the cell which is where our DNA is kept. Vaccines have absolutely no ability to interact with or alter DNA in any way. You will not develop a third eye, or have your personality altered, if you get the vaccine.

Is the government using the vaccine to sterilise the population and control population growth?

There is nothing in the vaccine that can affect your fertility or chance of having a healthy baby. Government’s goal is to encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine, so that we can develop the population immunity that will allow us to return to normal, with fewer restrictions, while protecting people from serious illness and death.

I’ve noticed that people are getting sick soon after getting the vaccine. I don’t want to give myself COVID

You are not infecting yourself with Covid by getting the vaccine. It takes about two weeks for protection from the vaccine to take effect, so it could be that these people were infected before getting or shortly after getting the jab. We have also seen that some people drop their guard once they have had their first shot, and this could put them at risk of getting COVID before the vaccine is effective. The good news is that their symptoms should be milder than those who have not yet been immunised.

I want to travel but I am worried that I will test positive if I have had the vaccine

None of the vaccines can make you test positive on the PCR or the antigen tests. However, if you develop an immune response, you may test positive on some antibody tests. This is actually a good thing, and if you show your proof of vaccination you should have no problem travelling.

I have already had COVID-19. Why should I get the vaccine?

For people who have recovered from COVID-19, the vaccine strengthens their immune response (both antibody and T-cell immunity), and lengthens the duration that immunity lasts. Vaccines stimulate the production of neutralising antibodies more than natural infection, which means that they offer better protection against new variants. Several clinical trials have confirmed that the vaccine works better than natural immunity against variants of concern (including both the Beta and the Delta strains). 

Why must I wear a mask if I have been vaccinated?

The vaccine is only one more layer of protection against COVID-19. Until more people are vaccinated and there is herd immunity, we need to remain cautious. As it is still possible to transmit the virus and to get infected (albeit much lower risk), infection control measures need to remain in place while the pandemic is still with us.

However, amongst other vaccinated adults, in small groups and at outdoor venues, once vaccinated, life can become much more normal. Even once you are vaccinated, healthy lifestyles, good eating, exercise, not smoking, and vitamins should all play their role in keeping you healthy and safe.

Do I need to quarantine after getting the vaccine?

As the vaccine does not contain active SARS-CoV-2, there is no need for you to isolate after being vaccinated. However, if you come into contact with a COVID-positive person (even once fully vaccinated), the same rules apply and you will still need to quarantine for 10 days.

If I vaccinate now, will it affect my chances of having a healthy baby?

Although there is a lot of social media misinformation about vaccines causing infertility, the respected British Medical Journal recently published guidance from the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists and the British Fertility Society. It states: “There is absolutely no evidence, and no theoretical reason, that any of the vaccines can affect the fertility of women or men. People of reproductive age should get a COVID-19 vaccine, including people who are trying to have a baby or thinking about having a baby in the future”.

More children are getting sick with COVID-19? Do they need to be vaccinated?

As children are much less likely to get severe illness, they are not a priority for vaccines at this stage. Many countries, such as Israel and the USA, are vaccinating children from the age of 12. Trials on the safety and efficacy of vaccines for younger children are still ongoing.