Social Listening Report Number 25: 05 November 2021

Title

Social Listening Report Number 25: 05 November 2021

Type of Report

Social Listening Report

Date

November 5, 2021

Key Trends In the Report

The country was still on alert level 1. The report covered an increase in vaccine hesitancy and skepticism there was about 59% of social media discussions related to vaccine hesitancy. Discussions about vaccine safety dominated online conversations, accounting for 22% of the engagement. Conspiracy theories about the fourth wave of COVID-19 suggested that the pandemic was planned and controlled, with some believing the wave was delayed for political reasons. The report also included discussions related to the launch of the vooma voucher scheme to incentivise older people to vaccinate. The vooma voucher scheme was a R26 million pilot scheme aimed at incentivising older people to vaccinate. There were mixed reviews and reactions some viewed the scheme as a way to bribe people to vote. Social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube took steps to remove posts spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

Misinformation by Period

Conspiracy theories about the Fourth Wave. Vaccine safety concerns. Misinformation on social media.

Suggested Recommendations

Increase production of leaflets and posters (IEC) and provide accurate information with verified statistics. Implement targeted community outreach program initiative. Increase support for undocumented South Africans and to facilitate their vaccination without fear of deportation. Lasty, address vaccine dropouts people who only receive one dose of the vaccine.

Lockdown Level

1

Cumulative Cases

2 923 394

Cumulative Deaths

89 295

Cumulative Hospitalisations

435 405

Cumulative Recoveries

2 816 018

Total number of vaccines administered to date

23 295 693

Geographical Region

Africa (South Africa)

Curators of the report

National Department of Health

Stakeholders

National Health Hotline: Reports from the national call centre

Org: NDOH Covid-19 WhatsApp system

WHO Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA)

UNICEF: digital analysis of content on Google, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, and digital news

SA Red Cross: Network of over 2,000 community volunteers reporting misinformation and concerns.

Real 411 Media Monitoring Africa: a mis- and disinformation reporting and debunking initiative

COVID Comms: a network of communications specialists that produces information on the pandemic.

DOH Free State & KZN: Provincial Departments of Health

Health Systems Trust, Community Constituency Front (CCF),

Health Enabled

Centre for Communication Impact, Centre for Analytics & Behavioural Change

Medical Research Council, National Institute for Communicable Diseases,

SA Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, HSRC, DG Murray Trust, Right to Care

Universities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Free State, Wits, Stellenbosch, Sefako Makgatho