CAPE TOWN - Just over half of adults in the country support compulsory workplace Covid-19 vaccination and the ‘vaccine passport’, although support differed significantly by vaccination status.
This is according to a survey conducted by University of Johannesburg (UJ) Centre for Social Change in collaboration with the Developmental, Ethical and Capable State research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the public’s support for compulsory workplace Covid-19 vaccination and having to provide proof of vaccination to enter public places – so-called ‘vaccine passports’.
The survey was completed by 6 633 participants.
Key findings include that 54% of South African adults support employers making Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory and 51% support vaccine passports.
“However, levels of support for these policies differ considerably by vaccination status and willingness to vaccinate. Among the fully vaccinated support for compulsory workplace vaccination and vaccine passports is 75% and 78%, respectively. However, among those that are unvaccinated and do not want to be vaccinated support falls to under 10% for both measures,” UJ said in a statement.
Support for compulsory workplace vaccination is highest amongst Indian adults at 65% followed by Black African Adults at 56%, Coloured adults at 49% and lowest among White adults at 32%.
Similarly, support for vaccine passports is lower among White adults, 32% compared to 54% for Black African adults, 51% of Indian adults, and 46% among Coloured adults.
“61% of those with less than matric support compulsory workplace vaccination compared to 39% of those with post-matric education. 60% of those with less than matric support providing proof of vaccination to enter public places compared to 40% of those with post-matric education.”
Adults aged 18-24 years had slightly higher support for compulsory workplaces vaccination compared to older age groups.
The survey also gauged relative levels of support for vaccine passports to enter six particular types of public places.
“Close to half (47%) supported vaccine passports being introduced for sporting events at stadiums. Similar shares (43-45%) supported vaccine passports at schools and universities, and at restaurants, shisa nyamas, coffee shops or night clubs.
“Slightly lower support was evident for such measures at municipal offices (38%) and places of worship (40%).”
Cape Times