Social Listening Report Number 27: 19 November 2021

Title

Social Listening Report Number 27: 19 November 2021

Type of Report

Social Listening Report

Date

November 19, 2021

Key Trends In the Report

The lockdown level was still on alert level 1. The report covered fears of vaccine side effects as the primary reason for vaccine hesitancy. The report also addresses men's vaccination concerns including debunking myths such as COVID-19 vaccine causes erectile dysfunction by highlighting that COVID-19 itself can cause this issue. Laslty, there was mixed messages from religious organisations on vaccinations that caused public confusion.

Misinformation by Period

Vaccines cause infertility in men and women. Fear of vaccine side effects creates most hesitancy. False claims that 13 children in South Africa died from the vaccine, using misleading graphic footage from Kenya. Myths suggesting COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe for children and will cause death within two years. Incorrect information suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines cause blood clotting. Misinformation about vaccines causing heart inflammation.

Suggested Recommendations

Build the capacity and make information, education and communication (IEC) available. Continue providing information regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness. Engage Men in vaccination and continue COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Lastly, provide information related to COVID-19 booster shots.

Lockdown Level

1

Cumulative Cases

2 928 289

Cumulative Deaths

89 562

Cumulative Hospitalisations

436 318

Cumulative Recoveries

2 820 731

Total number of vaccines administered to date

24 849 665

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