‘SA may not get vaccines in 2021’: Top virologist criticises Zweli Mkhize

Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University, Shabir Madhi, has cast doubt over the government’s approach to rolling out vaccines. The renowned virologist believes that Zweli Mkhize and his team are sending out the wrong message, after a panel of medical experts claimed that the jabs were not ‘the silver bullet’ needed to halt COVID-19.

Mkhize messaging on vaccines ‘bamboozles’ Wits Professor

Madhi, expressing his opposition on Twitter, is perplexed by these statements. SAMRC scientist Safura Abdool Karim stated on Tuesday that vaccines wouldn’t simply solve the problems posed by this virus. These views have since been shared and distributed by Zweli Mkhize on his own social media pages.

“Many South Africans believe the vaccine is a ‘silver bullet’ to end the pandemic. We feel that is not true. The vaccine is not a short term solution. People need to take responsibility when it comes to controlling the epidemic.”

“It will take a long time for us to reach herd immunity using a COVID-19 vaccine. Even if we roll out a vaccine tomorrow that will not be the end of the epidemic. So for the next year, NPIs will be our primary weapon to control the virus.”

Safura Abdool Karim

SA ‘will struggle to get vaccinations in 2021’ – Professor Madhi

Professor Madhi, however, flatly disagrees. He believes that a mass vaccination rollout is very much the primary and most effective way to decimate COVID-19. But the Wits representative gave out a rather glum forecast for the year ahead, after claiming that South Africa ‘is in a difficult position‘ when it comes to securing vaccines for domestic use in 2021.

“[Zweli Mkhize’s message] creates doubt among citizens. COVID-19 vaccines are actually the much sought-after ‘silver bullet’ to bring the pandemic to an end, unless we willing to go through multiple waves of outbreaks. NPIs are important to manage the spread of the virus – but they do not deal with the route cause of susceptibility.”

“Being involved in the clinical development of the vaccines should have placed us in an advantageous position to gain early access. Seemingly we have not exploited this opportunity. We’re in a difficult position in terms of being able to get vaccines within the course of 2021.”

Wits Professor Shabir Madhi

Ability of vaccines to impact on the pandemic is directly related to how soon you can get approx 50-60% of the population vaccinated. The narrative should not be the false notion that vaccines are not a silver bullet or won’t bring the pandemic to an end.

— Shabir Madhi (@ShabirMadh) January 1, 2021