Just News |
The South African South Medical Association (SAMA) says it supports vaccination as essential in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and endorses the importance of scientific integrity, transparency, and public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.
SAMA reiterated that COVID-19 poses a significant medical and public health risk, and notes with grave concern the spread of false information about COVID-19 vaccines by individuals within the medical fraternity. “Medical professionals who propagate COVID-19 vaccination misinformation may discourage people from becoming vaccinated, which could lead to the preventable loss of life.”
SAMA added that medical professionals have an ethical duty as articulated in the oaths that they take, to prioritise the health and well-being of their patients, to practice medicine with conscience and dignity, in line with international best practice standards and evidence-based medical practice, and to serve humanity.
“Personal beliefs and opinions must not interfere with sound medical management. In the case of a COVID-19 vaccination that is safe, efficacious and which has been approved for use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)”.
