- There is no doubt that covid-19 vaccines serve as an important strategy in the response to COVID 19. Substantive research has been done on the benefits of getting covid-19 vaccines.
- According to an article which was posted on the 16th of August 2021 by the Centres for disease Control and Prevention, Covid-19 vaccines play a crucial role in protecting an individual from contracting and transmitting the corona virus, they also help keep an individual from getting severe illness from COVID-19 thus not requiring hospitalisation in case they do contract the virus. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention further notes that being vaccinated does not only protect an individual but also protects those around them.
- Notwithstanding the documented benefits of Covid-19 vaccines, BONELA posits that these vaccines should not be made mandatory in any situation including in the work place.
- Making vaccines mandatory is an infringement on human rights, primarily the right to personal liberty and freedom from discrimination. Vaccine mandates, to a very large extent, violate(s) the rights of people who object to be vaccinated for religious and medical reasons. Furthermore, mandatory vaccination in the work place has the potential to breed discrimination on people who opt not to be vaccinated.
- States have legal duty to respect, protect, promote and fulfil human rights. Therefore, Botswana government should make concerted effort to educate the public about the scientific benefits of vaccination.
For more information, contact BONELA on: Katlego Sechele at ksechele@bonela.org or 72282025 | Cindy Kelemi at cindyk@bonela.org or 72385054
References:
Published 16th August 2021 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
BONELA advocates for health and human rights, focusing on vulnerable groups to remove barriers and ensure access to health services.
Quick Links
- Our Work
- News Centre
- Resource
- Our Privacy Policy