The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and other associated entities will host a webinar on self-reporting, suspected adverse reactions of medicines and vaccines. The webinar will take place on Monday, 13th September 2021.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the webinar as follows:
Date: Monday, 13 September 2021
Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Platform: Zoom
To register click on the link below: https://path.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dctH8HCrR7iDNQIN-vYMtA
The NDoH embarked on a nationwide COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan more than three months ago. The phased approach to immunisation ramped up in July 2021, with a record number of individuals (over a million in a single day) registering for their doses. However, with an increasing number of vaccine administrations, there is a growing concern about the side effects experienced.
The webinar provides an opportunity for SAHPRA and the NDoH to engage with citizens on not only the adverse effects of the vaccines but of medical products in general. It creates a further opportunity for minimising vaccine hesitancy as a result of fear of adverse effects.
All medicines, including vaccines, can cause side effects. In the case of vaccines, side effects or adverse events that occur after vaccine administration are known as “Adverse Events Following Immunusation” or AEFIs. However, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks.
COVID-19 vaccines have proven to prevent severe forms of disease, hospitalisation and death.
Speakers
1. Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, SAHPRA CEO
2. Prof. Hannelie Meyer, NISEC committee chairperson
3. Ms Mafora Matlala, SAHPRA Pharmacovigilance manager
4. National Department of Health representative
5. Mr Sibusiso Hlatjwako, Director of External Affairs, Africa Region, PATH (moderator)
Media participation: Journalists may view the webinar via live streaming on the following government social media platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovernmentZA
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCISMedia
YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA
Enquiries: Taonga Chilalika tchilalika@path.org
Issued by the Government Communication and Information System
11 September 2021