Most frequently asked questions at Covid-19 webinar highlight the need for greater education

The potential human and economic impact of an imminent third wave underscores the importance of the successful roll-out of phase three of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in South Africa. This is according to a panel of experts who spoke at Old Mutual Corporate's Covid-19 webinar recently, agreeing that herd immunity is the only way to get SA back to business and the economy firing on all cylinders again.

According to panellist Dr Nkateko Msimeki, CareWorks Executive Director, two-thirds of South Africans have indicated they are willing to be vaccinated, up to 18% have said they would prefer not to be vaccinated, and 15% undecided.

Attendees of the webinar, which targeted employers and business owners, were encouraged to submit questions to the panellists. According to Malusi Ndlovu, Director of Large Enterprises at Old Mutual Corporate, "from the responses, the most frequently asked questions were around one's legal rights in terms of refusing to take the vaccine.

"Attendees often asked if it was compulsory to get vaccinated, whether their employer could compel them to be vaccinated, and if their job was at risk if they choose not to go ahead. There were also questions around the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in light of how rapidly they were developed," he says.

Ndlovu and Msimeki agree that based on these insights, despite the uncertainty of Government’s plans, the first step for employers is to formulate a COVID-19 education campaign that addresses the fears and concerns of workers. "Lessons learnt from South Africa's mass HIV testing process will provide a useful blueprint for business planning," added Msimeki.

"There is an opportunity for employers to level out the unequal sharing of information. Addressing the 'why' behind vaccination will be key, and education and collaboration will be critical to getting high levels of buy-in," she said.

Watch the webinar and questions video - click below...