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The editorial examines vaccine hesitancy in South Africa and its implications for public health and community safety.

May 24, 2026Open Access

Editorial: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa: a complex social phenomenon

Puntos clave

The editorial examines vaccine hesitancy in South Africa and its implications for public health and community safety.
Reviewed existing literature on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy.
Analyzed social and supply-side factors affecting vaccination rates.
Discussed the broader impacts of vaccine hesitancy on population health.
Vaccine hesitancy presents significant risks to both individuals and community health.
Supply-side issues related to vaccine availability hinder optimal uptake.
Social factors contribute to varying levels of doubt and mistrust regarding vaccination.

Resumen

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant health, human, social and economic impacts on South African (SA) society. COVID-19 vaccines currently offer the most promising means to safeguard personal health, protect the most vulnerable populations, reopen social and economic life, and potentially achieve population health and safety through immunity.1 However, the success of COVID-19 vaccines depends on high levels of uptake. Supply-side factors related to vaccine availability, infrastructure and accessibility all pose significant challenges to optimal uptake in SA.2,3 Vaccine hesitancy " which involves varying levels of doubt, indecision, uncertainty or mistrust about vaccination4 " is an additional challenge. Vaccine hesitancy poses significant risks, not only for the hesitant individual, but also for the wider community.

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