Several celebrities have joined forces to combat Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy by using their social media platforms to encourage people to get the jab.
Stars – including comedian Riaad Moosa, Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Springbok Faf de Klerk, and actress Pearl Thusi – are using their voices to help dispel common misconceptions around the vaccine, reports IOL.
Hlatshwayo was chosen to be a Viral Facts #BeASaver ambassador for the vaccine rollout in the country.
He said this platform has given him an opportunity to spread accurate information about the vaccine which is now available to everyone who is 18 and above.
“There is a view that if you take the vaccine you can die,” he says.
“And if you don’t have any symptoms, you don’t need to be vaccinated.
“But what we need to realise is that by taking the shot, it will help speed up the process of getting us back to normality.
“The sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we will get our lives back.”
Moosa, who is also a qualified medical doctor, has made several live videos to denounce misinformation about the vaccine, and also answered questions from fans.
“As a medical doctor, I understand that some of the facts may be technical and hard to understand and that it’s easier to share the drama about the vaccine online.
“There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there,” he said.
Moosa and his family all contracted Covid-19 towards the end of last year and they also experienced the loss of some family members.
Thusi, star of the hit series Queen Sono, says that while she was initially hesitant about the Covid-19 vaccine, she has seen the light after consulting those in the medical profession.
Bok scrum-half De Klerk says playing in empty stadiums with no spectators is not lekker: “The sooner that they get vaccinated, the better for us all as we can get back on the field for our fans.”
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