Vaccine hesitancy puts many SA children at risk of dire diseases

As African Vaccination Week concludes today, serious concerns remain about the number of South African children not receiving life-saving vaccines.

- Oratile Mashilo

According to the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC), efforts to increase vaccine uptake must urgently address the complex reasons behind vaccine hesitancy.

Findings from two recent reviews by Cochrane South Africa, a unit within the SAMRC, highlight why some parents and caregivers do not vaccinate their children.

According to the unit's specialist scientist, Dr Sara Cooper, the reviews draw on global qualitative studies to identify the personal, social and systemic barriers to vaccination.

"[Our findings] highlight that effective public health interventions must go beyond providing access to vaccines. They must also address the broader context in which vaccine decisions are made," Cooper said.