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Mail & Guardian

Vaccination

latest news & developments
DA leader John Steenhuisen. (Delwyn Verasamy/ M&G)
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Steenhuisen confirms 274 foot-and-mouth disease cases in five provinces

Officials said South Africa’s phytosanitary and biosecurity requirements are world class and the department is awaiting bilateral trade agreements to be resolved to begin exports…

  • Nkateko Joseph Mabasa
4 min read
Vaccines are not just medicine. They are mirrors. They show us who we are, what we value and whose lives we’re willing to protect.
AFRICAN VACCINATION

Vaccines: The US is endangering children while Africa leads the way

Countries on the continent are not waiting to be saved, they are paving the way with community-led, astute, innovative and independent immunisation programmes

  • Tian Johnson
11 min read
Making a difference: Mentor mothers from the non-profit organisation One to One Africa after visiting a household in Luqoqweni village in the Eastern Cape. (Oupa Nkosi)
ANTIRETROVIRALS

Eastern Cape headman: ‘You won’t find a child born with HIV in this village’

Babies getting HIV from their infected mothers is rare in a cluster of 39 villages in the OR Tambo district

  • Zano Kunene
10 min read
By 9 September, South Africa had 25 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in three provinces (Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape), with three people dying from the virus. (Berkay Ataseven, iStock)
AFRICA
Audio

No mpox jabs for SA yet — but WHO and Africa CDC will help to fight the outbreak

Health authorities say vaccines will mostly be donated, or, when available, be bought via negotiated deals with drugmakers, but with different budgets

  • Mia Malan
8 min read
As part of a catch-up vaccination campaign because of South Africa’s five-month-long measles outbreak, all children between the ages of six months and 15 years can get a free vaccine in the public sector. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
MEASLES

Parents, here are 8 measles outbreak questions — answered

We clarify issues surrounding the measles outbreak and explain who is eligible to get an extra vaccination

  • Zano Kunene
  • Joan Van Dyk
11 min read
Effort: In an effort to get people vaccinated against Covid-19, Kenya’s health workers go door to door for people who live far from health facilities. The more benign Omnicron variant has also made people complacent. Photo: Briaqn Ongoro/AFP
AFRICA

Africa’s Covid neglect poses global danger

Low vaccination levels and high number of health-compromised populations make the continent a ‘breeding ground for variants’ that pose a global risk

  • Chris Bateman
8 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa
COVID 19

Boost for sports and entertainment as SA eases Covid-19 restrictions

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the scaling back of restrictions and lifts the need to wear masks outdoors

  • Emsie Ferreira
3 min read
Making vaccination mandatory may be beneficial, given that the government has a responsibility to protect its people; but it does raise the issue of whether forcing individuals to receive a compulsory vaccination would interfere with their rights.
COVID 19

Vaccination mandates: It’s time for responsible leadership

Ethical decision-making for leaders involves balancing many competing needs, which includes allowing individuals hesitant about vaccines to discuss their concerns

  • Mark Smith
4 min read
UFS said in its announcement that it consulted widely with stakeholders including legal firms that and up to 85% of the university’s senate supported the decision.
CCMA

Solidarity vs University of Free State in vaccine mandate court case

The union wants the court to decide whether the policy of enforcing vaccinations at UFS holds water.

  • Marcia Zali
4 min read
BOOSTER

Health department rolls out Pfizer boosters to eligible individuals

Low uptake anticipated because of festive season, but healthcare workers stand ready

  • Marcia Zali
2 min read
AFRICA HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Video

How your body can protect you from getting sick with Omicron

Omicron’s many mutations allow it to duck our body’s natural defence, but the immune system has a some tricks to prevent you from getting severely ill

  • Aisha Abdool Karim
17 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa on the campaign trail in October 2021. (Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
CORONAVIRUS

Ramaphosa returns to work after recovering from Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa encourages citizens to vaccinate and continue to practice safety measures

  • Marcia Zali
1 min read
Shrill reactionary: Carl Niehaus seems to be against anything good, including vaccinations. Photo: Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images
CARL NIEHAUS

‘Don’t vax or Ramaphosa will stay on’

Conman Carl and his cohort think that taking the jab will boost his re-election

  • Paddy Harper
4 min read
Making vaccination mandatory may be beneficial, given that the government has a responsibility to protect its people; but it does raise the issue of whether forcing individuals to receive a compulsory vaccination would interfere with their rights.
COVID 19

Unvaccinated South Africans to pay more for insurance premiums

Insurance companies have adjusted their premiums and people who are not vaccinated will pay more for cover

  • Anathi Madubela
5 min read
Push: Kenyans who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to use public amenities such as transport. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images)
COVID 19

Kenya to make Covid vaccination mandatory

The unvaccinated will be denied use of public services on 21 December, but only 5% of the population has been vaccinated

  • Soila Kenya, The Continent
3 min read