The country was on alert level 1. The report reported on the perception of COVID-19, many people believed that the COVID-19 emergency was ending due to fewer infections and deaths and the less severe nature of Omicron variant. There was significant progress in vaccination process with around 48% of adults in South Africa having received at least one dose. Vaccination rates among younger adults (18-34 years) were low at 35%, compared to higher rates in older age groups. Health workers are experiencing burnout due to long hours and the stress of the pandemic, leading to many leaving the profession.
The country was still on alert level 1. The report was on misinformation claims that COVID-19 vaccines cause HIV and AIDs as such there was increased vaccine hesitancy with HIV vaccine misinformation. The was confusion related to vaccine booster shots. Lastly, during this period there was decreased social media engagement related to COVID-19 and its vaccines
The country was still on alert level 1. The report highlighted the what was then seen as the controversial enforcement of vaccine mandates by South African universities, this included mixed reactions from the public with some people in support of the mandates and others against the mandates by universities. Other health related discussions on the report included fear of potential risks including increased HIV infection risk.
The country was still on alert level 1. The Social listening report reported declining vaccine hesitancy statistics. Higher vaccination reates were linked to better knowledge about the vaccines that was publicly available. During this report barriers to vaccines were attributed to issues of vaccine access where people didnt know which vaccination sites to go to.
The disaster management regulation was still on alert level 1. The reported highlighted increased demand in downloading vaccination certificates. High social media discussions and search queries related to the CCMA ruling on vaccination mandates with mixed public reactions. Discussions focused on vaccine effectiveness, access, availability, and safety.
The country was still on alert level 1. There was reported vaccine mandate conflict, the CCMA ruled in favour of a company that dismissed an unvaccinated employee, the incident sparked significanr social media debate with most posts opposing the ruling. There was hesitancy and mistrust related to booster shots confusion. There was criticism over the vooma voucher implementations where people viewed these incentives as coercion. High volume call to the help centre for help with downloading vaccine certificates and other problems including wrong QR codes and incorrect personal information. Increased confusion around Omicron variant, vaccine safety and immunity.
The country was still on alert level 1. The Social listening report highlighted widespread resistance to mask-wearing and other non-pharmaceutical interventions. The was low trust in government because of confusion on COVID-19 rules and regulations. There was confusion from changing guidelines during this time there were new COVID-19 vaccine booster guidelines and differing expert opinions on Omicron severity, these changes caused people to be confused and to mistrust authorities.
The country was still on alert level 1. The report highlighted that during January 2022 the Omicron variant cases that caused the 4th wave of COVID-19 was decreasing in South Africa. There was confusion on social media about the Omicron variant some people described the variant as "mild", "common cold" and "less severe". These descriptions caused many people to speculate that the Omicron variant was being used by government to scare people into vaccinating. There was misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccine injuries in a form of a video circulating on social media with claims of severe adverse effects from vaccination. Lastly, the report covered discusions around compulsory and manditory COVID-19 vaccination
The country was still on alert level 1. The document provides an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in KZN as of the 17 December 2021. The report provides information on the number of people vaccinated, hospitalisations and recoveries in KZN
The country was still on alert level 1. The report largely covers the vaccination rollout acceptance by discussing the progress of the vaccination rollout, acceptance and vaccine hesitancy.
From the 29 December 2020 to 28 February 2021 South Africa was on adjusted alert level 3. The disaster management regulation on level 3 was indicated by moderate COVID-19 spread with moderate health system readiness. During this time South Africa was experiencing the second wave of COVID-19. The social listening report was on the symptoms of COVID-19, these included flu-like symptoms and lastly, around the hopes of vaccines and herd immunity by the overall protection of the pupulation.
The country was still on alert level 1. The report was on COVID-19 epidemiology updates, this included varying trends across different regions such as fluctuating COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalisations, deaths and vaccination campaigns
The country was still on alert level 1. There was an increase in online conversations about COVID-19 vaccine certificates and Pfizer booster shots. Growing resistance to mandatory vaccine policies and misinformation about vaccine side effects. Misinformation claims that increased COVID-19 cases due to Omicron variant means that vaccines are ineffective. Official communications highlighted the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, contributing to the fourth COVID-19 surge, especially among people aged 30-50.
The country was still on alert level 1. The reports highlights concerns about COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and the then new Omicron variant. Major news stories: included news stories such as the UK and other countries imposing travel bans on South Africa, and a push for South Africans to get vaccinated before a February mandate. Offline feedback from the communities showed people were doubtful that there was a new variant. The was also noticeable vaccine hesitancy for booster shots. False information about the Omicron variant being resistant to vaccines and its origins was widely circulated.
The disaster management regulations was on alert level 1. During December 2021, there was a decline in overall vaccine conversations on social media, but negative sentiment increased by 15%. There was increased opposition on vaccine mandates people started using the concept of "medical apartheid" and infringements on personal freedoms were at the centre of the anti-vaccine mandate discussions. There was increased social mobilisation against vaccines on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram. There was misinformation and disinformation about various myths and false claims about vaccines such as vaccines cause infertility. The report highlighted increased violence against women during the pandemic and health issues like heart problems in women with long COVID.
The disaster management regulations were on alert level 1. The report covered growing public concern about mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace, with complaints filed to the CCMA regarding dismissals.
South Africa was still on alert level 1. The report covered growing concerns about mandatory vaccinations in the work place, with complaints filed to the CCMA regarding dismissals of unvaccinated employees. By the 27 of November 2021 vooma vaccination weekends were still continuing to increase the vaccination numbers. The introduction of R100 grocery vouchers for first-time vaccine recipients over 50 years old was met with mixed reactions, with some calling it a bribery. Many foreign nationals in South Africa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to get vaccinated. The debate on mandatory vaccines brough frustrations about possible restrictions for those who are unvaccinated.
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.
During this report the country was still on alert level 1. There was a wide spread concern about a potential fourth wave of COVID-19 expected in December or January 2022. There was skepticism towards rising COVID-19 cases after the elections with people voicing out that the numbers might have been manipulated for political gain. There was discussions over side effects and mistrust related to COVID-19 vaccines. There were negative sentiment towards Pfizer's significant profits from vaccine sales, with accusations of the company being driven by profit motives. And lastly, concerns over possible coercion by governments for the general public to get vaccinated this included citing schemes such as the vooma vourcher incentives.
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.
The country was still on alert level 1. The report covers opinions around vaccination rollout for teenagers there is mixed opinions on vaccinating children with some parents and groups opposing it due to the lack of parental approval however, there was significant reponse to vaccinating 12-17 year olds with over 39 000 registrations and nearly 7 000 vaccinations on the first day. The report also covered social media trends with increased search queries related to vaccination rollout for teenagers, vaccine certificates and vaccine safety and efficacy. Laslty, there was notable decrease in COVID-19 infections and deaths marked by the end of the third wave. There were also concerns about the safety of Pfizer vaccines and myocarditis and misconceptions around vaccine adverse reactions such as heart inflammations. There was continued interest in vaccine passports and discussions about booster shots.
The lockdown level was on alert level 1. The document reports on increased vaccine passport interests, since the launch of vaccine passports there had been significant interest, with over 1.5 million downloads. However, many people are faced issues accessing their vaccine certificate codes. There was a slight shift from vaccine hesitancy to acceptance in various parts of the country. In October 2021 there was nearly 250 000 excess deaths due to the pandemic in South Africa. There was also reported youth vaccine hesitancy with 18-34 year olds remaining the most hesitant group. There was misinformation spread on social media about vaccines. During this time some South African music artisits released songs undermining the COVID-19 vaccine efficacy contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Lastly, there was growing opposition towards mandatory vaccinations.
The country was on alert level 1. Vooma Vaccination Weekend saw increased vaccinations due to the presence of political leaders and celebrities. The was discussion on digital vaccination certificates and passports with mixed reactions, there were those who supported passports and those who were concerned about vaccine apartheid. There was a widespread of relief with the end of the third wave. South African travellers were happy about the removal of South Africa from the UK's red list. Lastly, there was misinformation and safety concerns about the vaccine.
The country entered adjusted alert level 1. The report documented the vooma vaccination weekend aimed at improving the vaccination drive from 1-3 of October there were about 350 000 vaccines because of the vooma vaccination. October 2021 marked the end of the third COVID-19 wave and decrease in infections and deaths. There were mixed political response to vaccinations, with major parties supporting it while smaller parties and factions opposed it. President Ramaphosa's announcement of vaccine passports sparked both support and opposition. There was also documented discrimination against the unvaccinated.
The country was on alert level 2. The Social listening report covered increased interest in topics like the UK government stance on African vaccination (The UK considered people vaccinated from Africa unvaccinated for entry into the UK). There were also reports on topics of anti-vaccine sentiments and vaccine safety for pregnant women and mandatory vaccinations. And lastly, information on local issues and misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy.
