The National State of Disaster for COVID-19 was lifted by the South African government. Online discussions had gained momentum around declining case numbers, hospitalisations, and vaccine-related controversies. There had been renewed interest in COVID-19 statistics, with Limpopo and Gauteng recording the highest new cases. Misinformation about booster shots had surged, with some dismissing them as propaganda.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Unfounded claims about COVID-19 vaccines, including conspiracy theories like “mass genocide” and depopulation, had continued circulating online. The 7th World Assembly of the Global Campaign for Education drew significant online interest, especially around COVID-related learning losses. The NICD’s research on Long COVID gained traction, with public concern about its long-term effects, especially in people with diabetes. Engagement around booster doses increased, driven by HealthZA’s campaign. Rising COVID-19 cases led to public anxiety over sick individuals not wearing masks in public spaces.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Many South Africans had dismissed projections of new COVID-19 waves as fearmongering. Despite rising case numbers and ICU admissions, some believed the pandemic was over or exaggerated. The national vaccine rollout had slowed significantly. At its peak, around 240,000 people were vaccinated daily, but this had dropped to roughly 5,000. Reinfection was reported to be more dangerous than initial infection, increasing the risk of both acute and long COVID. Social media and online platforms had amplified false claims, including conspiracy theories about Pfizer, vaccine shedding, and depopulation.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. here had been a noticeable rise in COVID-19 infections, which caught many South Africans off guard. Many citizens suspected that actual case numbers were far higher than reported. COVID-19 was no longer seen as coming in large waves but rather in smaller outbreaks. There had been widespread confusion about booster eligibility, especially for immunocompromised individuals over 50. Questions were raised about the religious permissibility of vaccine ingredients, particularly those derived from animals.

The national state of disaster was lifted. There had been persistent public concern about whether COVID-19 vaccines caused strokes. Many South Africans had expressed uncertainty about booster eligibility, particularly for those under 55. COVID-19 cases had steadily increased in four provinces ahead of the festive season. The National Health Hotline had seen a drop in call volumes. A study estimating that vaccines had prevented nearly 20 million deaths globally had been misrepresented by sceptics, who falsely claimed the same number had died from the vaccines.

The national state of disaster was lifted. Public discussions around vaccine mandates resurfaced after reports emerged of workers being reinstated following dismissals for refusing vaccination. Many social media users criticised employers, labelling the mandates as coercive and expressing distrust in the vaccines. A slight increase in COVID-19 infections was observed, mainly due to the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. On 26 October, 2,215 new cases were reported, with a positivity rate of 9.8%, slightly up from the previous week

The national state of disaster was lifted. There had been a notable spike in online searches related to COVID-19 vaccines. Discussions on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter had centred around vaccine effectiveness, immunity, access, and safety. Public concern had grown following reports of a death linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Fake news had proliferated, especially after the extension of Pfizer’s expiry date. Interest in Pertussis (whooping cough) had increased following NICD reports of rising cases.

The national state of disaster was lifted. There had been a sharp rise in interest around COVID-19, especially in Johannesburg, where searches for Clicks vaccination sites and vaccine certificates surged by over 2000%. Experts had predicted a sixth COVID-19 wave around September or October, but it was delayed. Reports surfaced about vaccine shortages at private sites like Clicks, with some users assuming licences had expired due to low demand. Mental health issues among youth worsened post-pandemic, with high levels of depression, fear, and loneliness reported. Many described experiencing “COVID burnout”, affecting both personal and work life. A notable increase in pertussis cases was reported, mostly affecting children under five, particularly in the Western Cape. Five monkeypox cases had been confirmed in South Africa, with no secondary infections. Concerns about stigma and misinformation were raised, drawing parallels to early HIV/AIDS narratives.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Resistance to COVID-19 vaccination remained a major challenge. Public interest in COVID-19, especially regarding vaccines, had declined on social media. Social media platforms saw continued circulation of misleading content, including memes questioning vaccine effectiveness. A concerning trend emerged involving videos disguised as educational STEM content that spread false scientific claims. Confirmed human rabies cases in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo sparked scepticism among social media users, some of whom linked these cases to broader conspiracy theories following other outbreaks like cholera and measles.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Online discussions about COVID-19 vaccines had steadily declined. In the week leading up to 3 September 2023, 12,298 vaccines were administered, but public reactions were subdued compared to earlier phases. Misinformation persisted, including claims that COVID-19 was a lab-created flu and that hospitals were unsafe due to pharmaceutical profiteering. Anti-vaccine sentiments included accusations of propaganda, disbelief in COVID-19’s existence, and concerns about vaccine safety. Citizens continued to enquire about vaccination sites, but no official list was available. Complaints about public health services included negligence, poor service, and unresolved EVDS record issues.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. A surge in public enquiries followed the announcement of the new COVID-19 variant, EG.5 (a SARS-CoV-2 subvariant), and the planned vaccination rollout for children aged 5–11 with compromised immune systems. The FDA’s approval of Veklury (Remdesivir) for patients with severe renal impairment, including those on dialysis, sparked mixed reactions. Analysis of Google Trends showed that kidney disease attracted the highest search interest, followed by the Pfizer vaccine, Janssen vaccine, and lastly Veklury. There was growing interest in vaccinating children aged 5–11 who were at risk of severe illness.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. There had been a noticeable lack of trust in government service delivery, which negatively influenced how health messages were received. A social media campaign promoting fact-checking before sharing information was generally well received. Misinformation and politically charged narratives had increased, particularly in the lead-up to the general elections. The communication space had become more hostile, with heightened scrutiny of government messaging. Misinformation about cholera had contributed to vaccine hesitancy. The public had shown concern over a sudden outbreak of Mumps, with some linking it to measles vaccinations. There had been growing concern about TB transmission in overcrowded schools, especially among teenagers.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Misinformation continued to fuel hesitancy. Many South Africans believed or were unsure about at least one of eight false claims regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Pregnant women, in particular, showed reluctance due to fears of side effects and family pressure. Children were found to be the primary source of household COVID-19 infections, with 70% of transmissions starting with them. People who spent more time online struggled to distinguish between real and fake news.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Misinformation continued to fuel hesitancy. Research showed that at least one in eight people believed or were unsure about false claims regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Children were found to be significant spreaders of COVID-19 within households, with 70% of transmissions reportedly starting with a child. Social media users reacted negatively to cholera prevention messages, citing issues like lack of access to clean water and the impact of loadshedding. There was high demand for flu vaccines, especially among pro-vaccine users who encouraged others to get vaccinated. However, some rejected the vaccine, claiming it was ineffective or worsened their symptoms. Although flu cases were fewer than in previous years, H1N1 was reportedly the dominant strain detected.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Concerns had grown over expired Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, which were reportedly unavailable to many. Frustration was expressed by those unable to access them, while others believed the expiry was due to low demand driven by misinformation suggesting the pandemic was over. Discussions about cholera had surged online, with users debating water safety and expressing disbelief that cholera deaths were occurring in a country with a massive public budget. Outbreaks of mumps, measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough had raised concerns.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Many social media users believed that COVID-19 had ended, questioning the need for continued government messaging. Others accepted that COVID-19 was ongoing, similar to TB and HIV, and expressed willingness to continue receiving booster shots. There were ongoing doubts about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, with calls for transparent safety data. Reports from Olifantshoek in the Northern Cape indicated a lack of measles vaccines for over a month. A local Telegram group, known for anti-vaccine views, claimed that mRNA vaccines caused tinnitus (a static sound in the head). A South African political party challenged the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine in court, citing trial data and side effects. Parents reported flu-like symptoms, skin irritation, red eyes, fever, and nosebleeds in children after measles vaccination.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Many people struggled to locate active vaccination sites. The NICD received calls regarding how to report adverse vaccine events. These were redirected to SAPHRA, but many callers returned with unresolved queries. Some parents were reluctant to sign consent forms for school-based measles vaccinations due to lingering distrust from the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Misinformation circulated on platforms like Telegram and Vuka SA, with claims that vaccines were harmful and that natural remedies like cod liver oil should be used instead. WhatsApp was used to spread misinformation, including claims that the measles virus had never been proven to exist and that vaccines were unsafe.

The national state of disaster was still. Conversations revealed widespread mistrust and conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. Despite reports of a large stockpile of vaccines (29.7 million doses), many individuals struggled to find vaccination sites with available stock. Some vaccination sites required a minimum number of people before opening a vial, leading to frustration.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Many Many South Africans remained uncertain about the need for flu vaccines after receiving COVID-19 boosters. There was widespread confusion regarding the number of COVID-19 booster doses required, especially for older adults. Claims that COVID-19 was a scam continued to circulate. Topics that gained traction included: Singapore’s decision to end mandatory mask-wearing. The US announcement to end its COVID-19 emergency declaration. South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruling that the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund was unlawful for favouring black-owned businesses.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. A Pretoria High Court application aimed at halting the COVID-19 vaccination programme gained significant traction online. International developments, such as Ted Cruz’s proposed bill to reinstate military personnel dismissed for refusing vaccination, and discussions around China’s pandemic response, also drew attention. Social media saw a surge in negative sentiment, with some users labelling the vaccination campaign as a “scam” or “genocide”. Anxiety grew around the planned vaccination of children aged 5–11 with paediatric Pfizer doses.

The communication priorities report highlited that COVID-19 vaccines were still important in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccination sites were still offering vaccines to individuals aged 12 and above. Boosters were especially recommended for people over 50 and those with compromised immune systems. It was reiterated that vaccines are safe for pregnat and breastfeeding women.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. The report highlited misconceptions that COVID-19 was over. Many individuals mistakenly believed that the lifting of restrictions signified the end of Covid-19, leading to reduced interest in vaccination. Despite reduced testing, global cases had surged by nearly 30%. While some welcomed the end of mask mandates, others continued to wear masks due to concerns about long Covid and flu season. Public education on airborne transmission and the need for ventilation was often met with mistrust and misinformation. A video of ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule admitting he hadn’t vaccinated sparked widespread discussion and reinforced vaccine hesitancy among some groups.

The national state of disater was still lifted. Social media engagement increased by 55% on platforms like twitter related to COVID-19. Over 50% of adults vaccinated remains a highly engaging topic on social media. Infection rates were declining, suggesting the end of the fifth wave driven by Omicron BA.4/BA.5. Online doubts about monkeypox being a government control tool.

The national state of disaster was still lifted. Over 50% of South African adults have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose. Hesitancy is driven by government distrust and misinformation. White and coloured populations show higher hesitancy than Black South Africans, according to studies. Vaccines reduce the risk of long Covid by only 15%, based on a large study.

The communication priorities covered the possibility of a 5th wave approaching. Promotion of vaccine effectiveness and booster campaigns available to people 18 and above. Lastly, the communication priorities highlighted Long-COVID-19 symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, breathing issues, and more