BL Premium reports that survey released on Wednesday by research network Afrobarometer shows that more than 50% of South Africans say they are unlikely to try to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and almost as many believe prayer offers better protection than a jab.

The results offer some insight into why registration rates and take-up of the vaccine have been lower than anticipated in some communities, despite the coronavirus cases and deaths reported. By Tuesday, SA had registered 2.39-million cases and more than 70,000 fatalities, a figure widely acknowledged to underrepresent the true scale of deaths due to Covid-19. The Medical Research Council has estimated the number is about triple the official figure. Afrobarometer’s partners, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) and Plus 94 Research, conducted the survey in May and June. Interviews were conducted with 1,600 respondents, and the results were nationally representative. The survey period coincided with the start of the government’s mass vaccination drive on 17 May. More than half of the respondents said they were either very unlikely (42%) or somewhat unlikely (12%) to try to get vaccinated against Covid-19, with just 46% indicating a willingness to seek a jab. The findings stand in marked contrast to several other surveys that reported higher levels of vaccine acceptance. IJR researcher Mikhail Moosa cautioned against direct comparison between the surveys, noting differences in methodology and the framing of questions.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (paywall access only)

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