As the world looks on at the catastrophic effects that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to leave in its wake, many believed that we were moving into safer waters as the infection rate gradually reduced and life began to normalise, until two weeks ago when the world was hit with the news of yet another variant, know as Omicron.
The mutated strain, which the World Health Organisation has called the B1.1.529 strain, is believed to possibly be more transmissible and possibly more resistant to the current vaccinations that are being administered. With the infection rate now increasing exponentially, the government has urged all citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to create herd immunity. Tabloid Newspapers reached out to their readers to find out what their opinion is on the possibility that vaccinations could become mandatory in the near future.
Mayenziwe Ngcobo:
As the future generation of our country, I believe that people should be given an opportunity to choose because everyone is different and each person has their own beliefs with regards to matters such as this. I believe that people have their own fears about the vaccinations because of the negative things that have been said on social media.
Which to be honest is not completely unfounded. I know of many people that have taken the vaccine and have been fine but I also know of people that got sick after taking it, so I guess in essence what I am saying is, don’t take away our constitutional right to the freedom of choice but rather allow us to make our own decisions. If you decide to take the vaccine, make sure that you are physically and mentally prepared for how your body may react.
Chris Van Der Berg:
As a ward councillor I have taken the vaccine and am in support of people who want to take it. Like other vaccinations that were mandatory when I was a child – if science can come up with a vaccination that would be proven to prevent the Corona virus one day, then it might be a good idea to make it mandatory. However, in the meantime as this is a very new vaccine, I think that it should be voluntary. One must also understand that at this stage it is not only ourselves that we need to think about but it is also the children and elderly. I would not ever want to have to think that someone else died because I did not want to take a possible positive step to preventing something.
Sethabile Ngcobo:
As a parent, I believe that our children need to be able to make their own choices, especially when it comes to something as critical as their health. Nobody should have to force a person to take a vaccine that they are against. Do not get me wrong, I have no qualms with this vaccination drive. For those who want it, go for it and to those that don’t want it, don’t take it and just say no. It is your human right to make your choices. Maybe one day when we are far into the future and the virus is under control, the health officials and government can make this vaccination compulsory. But until then, you make the choice.
Grant Matthews:
This topic is always sensitive and controversial. We are still learning about the Corona virus, as you get to know something, things change. I do believe we should communicate and encourage as much of the population as we can to get the vaccine voluntarily before making it mandatory.
I am sure by doing this we could get herd immunity and it gives us more time to learn more about the virus. I think we still should have our choices until the last resort and have to look at other measures.
