“Get the jab or get a new job” is the message from the government in Zimbabwe. It is the new compulsory vaccination for nearly 300,000 civil servants of Zimbabwe. The tough decision comes from the fact that only 5 per cent of the African population has been vaccinated twice so far. That is more than ten times less than in Asia and 15 times less than in Europe.
People’s reactions to the new rule are mostly displayed through anger and reluctance. They feel disrespected and deprived of their rights to decide for themselves what to do with their bodies. Not only does this disturb them, but also the injustice that stems from the fact that other people, who are not in the public service, are not given the duty, as if they, on the other hand, were not a threat to public health.
However, the falling number of newly vaccinated people is not due to a shortage of Covid-19 vaccines. It’s people’s fear and conspiracy theories that keep them from getting the vaccine. Is a vaccine mandate from the government a thoughtful response? Can the enforced call assist in bringing case numbers down?
Click here to watch the video and get to know both perspectives on the new rule better.
