Question NW2267 to the Minister of Health
08 October 2021 - NW2267
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether, in light of vaccination hesitancy surrounding the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, the Government intends to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory by law; if not, why not; if so; (2) whether such mandatory vaccinations will be required for all persons in the Republic by law; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the mooted mandatory vaccination will be targeting some industries; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which industries and (b) what are the reasons; (4) what informs the Government’s position on making vaccinations mandatory by law; (5) whether the Government will allow the private sector leeway to impose such mandatory requirements for COVID-19; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. No, Government does not intend to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory by law. the government approach is to invest in persuading in people seeing the life-saving value of vaccination.
2. As stated above, government wants to emphasis on rather convincing people of the value of vaccination.
3. While the state has no intention to make vaccination mandatory, we also have no intention to interfere in internal policies of private and independent institutions, including on the public health policies.
4. Not applicable.
5. As stated in (3), government has no intention in interfering in internal policies of private and independent institutions in this regard.
END.