The Department of Health has called on anyone who experiences adverse side effects after Covid-19 vaccination to immediately report to the nearest health facility or vaccination site.
This followed claims by a male patient that his illness was due to a Covid-19 vaccine.
A video clip of the man was recently circulated on social media platforms.
According to Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the national Department of Health, it is suspected that the patient could be suffering from throat cancer.
He said each province has allocated professionals to investigate severe and serious adverse effects within 48 hours of immunisation.
The health system has been notified of cases following vaccination.
“All adverse effects are taken seriously, but appropriate action can only be taken if they are reported.”
Covid-19 vaccines have been scientifically proven to be safe and highly effective at preventing hospitalisation and death.
Members of the public are discouraged from using other people’s health conditions and life experiences to justify opposition to this “life-saving” intervention.
“All vaccines and medicines have side effects,” Mohale said.
“Most Covid-19 vaccine side effects are minor and resolve within two to three days.”
The most common side effects of Covid-19 vaccines include headaches, mild fever, chills, pain or redness at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and mild diarrhoea.
Mohale encouraged people to report uncommon, severe and serious adverse effects so that they can be fully investigated.
Adverse events following vaccination may be reported using the Med Safety App or by completing a case report that can be downloaded from the website nicd.ac.za. The form should be returned via email to AEFI@health.gov.za. Alternatively, the Covid-19 Public Hotline can be contacted on 080-002-9999.
