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[UPDATE] UCT raises concerns over anti-vaccine rally

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The University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Health Sciences has raised concern over the anti-vaccination rally that took place outside Groote Schuur Hospital this morning.

A group under the banner “no to mandatory vaccination” held the rally to show their solidarity for Cape Town heart surgeon Dr Susan Vosloo, following her anti-vaccination message which apparently landed her in hot water.

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT, Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, says there’s evidence to show that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in fighting the virus.

“When a group chooses an iconic hospital as their vocal point for protest, it is easy for those who care for others in their vulnerability to feel challenged that they are not doing the right thing but more importantly to feel disrespected. We are in a point now regarding the pandemic that we need to focus on vaccination. The data that is emerging from across the world is showing that vaccinated people do not become as much of a burden on the health systems as those who have been unvaccinated.”

Update from anti-vaccine campaign outside Groote Schuur Hospital:

Vaccines are voluntary

The Western Cape Health Department has reiterated that taking the COVID-19 vaccine remains voluntary.

This follows the anti-vaccination protest outside the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

The department says the vaccines are safe and highly effective. It has urged residents of the province to empower themselves with information regarding the vaccine from credible sources.

EDITORIAL NOTE:

Our original story had that the protest was organised by the People’s Health Movement South Africa and Health Justice Initiative. That was incorrect as the protest was not organised by the above-mentioned organisations. We regret any damage to PHM-SA and HJI’s reputations and have since retracted it. 

Below is the Full Statement from People’s Health Movement SA and HJI:

 

 

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