Virus. Vaccines. And Vacillations

Vaccine mandates... and why everyone is talking about it.

- By Chanel Retief

As Covid-19 variants surge across the world, so does the contentious concomitant conversation: should countries and companies make vaccines mandatory? Politicians are faced with both increasing pressure and protests against the impending policy around the world.

South Africa too has had its share of raging debates around this issue. In a nationwide address in November last year, just as Omicron was making a grand appearance, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that “the government has set up a task team to undertake broad consultations on making vaccination mandatory for specific activities and locations”.

He reiterated this at the 110th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) on January 8: “To enable our economy to return to full operation, we urge everyone in South Africa who is not yet vaccinated to ensure they are vaccinated as soon as possible.

“The ANC urges the government to finalize a policy on the introduction of vaccine mandates for particular settings and activities. Such a policy would be a valuable addition to the instruments we have to contain and manage Covid-19.”

The much-disputed issue has been met with disdain in some quarters, although some businesses have already opted to make vaccines mandatory in their policies.

Business for South Africa (B4SA), an alliance of South African volunteers working with the South African government, released