The National Department of Health recently launched its Vax Champs campaign and has invited everyone living in South Africa to become a Covid-19 vaccination ambassador.

Vooma Vaccine Champions, or Vax Champs, encourage their friends, family members and neighbours to vaccinate.

The only way South Africa will control the Covid-19 pandemic is by vaccinating the majority of the population, says the Department of Health. Already, over 24 million people living in South Africa have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination.

It is estimated that 20 000 lives could be saved if the vaccination target of 70% of the population is reached by the end of the year.

According to Vax Champs co-ordinator Pauline Maketa, many people actually do want to get vaccinated, but have heard or read things on social media that concern them.

You can be a Vax Champ by sharing with them medical evidence of the safety of vaccines.

“After all, billions of people around the world have vaccinated and we know for a fact that those who vaccinate are less likely to get Covid-19, and if they do get Covid-19, they are less likely to need hospital care,” says Maketa.

Vax Champs are asked to do three things:
1. Educate themselves about Covid and vaccines.
2. Promote vaccination to friends, family and neighbours (in social media and real-life).
3. Report vaccination issues and problems in their area.
The Vax Champs programme is available in all 11 official South African languages, with a team offering support and advice so that accurate and correct information is shared.
To become a Vax Champ, either:
– visit www.vaxchamp.org.za,
– WhatsApp 0600 123 456, or
– call the National Covid Hotline
0800 029 999

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