Why others reluctant to vaccinate

MBABANE – It seems like more still need to be done to encourage members of the public to vaccinate for COVID-19.

This is because there are still those who are reluctant to vaccinate because they do not see the need.

Through a random survey, this reporter sought to ascertain the reasons behind the population’s reluctance to vaccinate.

Four random interviews were conducted with members of the public who have not gotten the jab.

*Nathi Sigudla of Dvudvusini in Mankayane said his problem with vaccinating was that he considered himself a healthy person with a great immune system and was typically not prone to illness.

“I hardly ever get sick so I do not understand what the rush is about.

He was not the only one to share the view of not seeing the need to vaccinate because of his health as a public transport operator further shared the same sentiments. According to *Nakekelo Nhlabatsi of Siphocosini, death was inevitable so there was no reason to try and prevent or prolong it from happening.

Trust

“If you do not trust your body then that should not be everyone else’s problem. I am yet to be given a convincing reason as to why I should vaccinate,” he said.

According to *Fikile Kunene of Fonteyn in Mbabane, her hesitancy was mostly led by the fact that she was currently two months pregnant.

“Although the Ministry of Health has encouraged pregnant women to also vaccinate, my fear is influenced by that it has not even been over six months since we started the vaccination process, so I am yet to see what happens to a pregnant mother and the baby after pregnancy fullterm once the mother has been vaccinated. There is no concrete proof that the child will not have any deformities,” said Kunene.

*Gcinekile Shongwe (52) said her faith in God was strong such that she knew there was zero chance of her getting critically ill with COVID-19 or even getting infected in the first place.

Aware

She was asked whether she was aware that there was a possibility that she might have been previously infected even though she had never been tested for COVID-19. To this she said; “I am generally a healthy person so why should I vaccinate? My faith is not weak and I personally believe there is zero chance of me getting severely ill with COVID despite scientific research. I believe in God more than I believe in science therefore I see no need.”

According to Hopkinsmedicine. com, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines did not cut corners on testing for safety and efficacy.

The vaccines were made using processes that have been developed and tested over many years, and which are designed to make — and thoroughly test — vaccines quickly in case of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19. The vaccines themselves were extensively tested by independent scientists.

The vaccines do not contain live coronavirus, and you cannot and will not get COVID-19 from getting vaccinated.