Are the Covid-19 vaccines truly effective?

Monday | 12 July | 2021

By Reon Janse van Rensburg

In the time ahead, many people will have to make a choice on whether they want to be vaccinated or not, while considering the divergent consequences that both choices hold. The choice about vaccination is almost literally a choice between life and death. We need answers on how to escape from the grip of this pandemic because South Africa, the South African economy and the rest of the world cannot continue in the same way. Due to this reason, Solidarity investigated, amongst other things, the several vaccines available, and the effectiveness and safety of it.

During the lockdown, the South African government abused its power by arbitrarily enforcing irrational lockdown regulations that eroded citizens’ freedom. In addition to the authoritarian stance taken by the government, with a National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) enforcing decisions “with immediate effect”, several ANC officials were caught red-handed looting emergency funds.

The obvious and understandable impact of the South African government’s behaviour is a general distrust in the government by the citizens especially when it comes to the handling of Covid-19. This distrust, together with the extreme incompetence of Ministers and the arrogance of the NCCC, created a breeding ground for scepticism about the vaccines.

Hesitation about the vaccines is understandable given the nature of the South African’s opaque actions during the lockdown.

Solidarity instructed its researchers to do thorough research about the vaccines. A comprehensive investigation was launched about the development, distribution, safety, risks and other factors regarding the vaccinations. Solidarity compiled a thorough report about the Covid-19 vaccines which can be downloaded here.

The purpose of this research is to inform Solidarity members and the public, and to empower them with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision.

The first question about the Covid-19 vaccines is: Does it work? To answer this question based on real circumstances and not on test circumstances, Solidarity observed the outcomes at ground level in several countries.

For different criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccines:

• Percentage of population vaccinated
• Hospitalisations due to Covid-19 (If available)
• New deaths due to Covid-19
• Positive test percentage

These criteria are used because none of the vaccines provide total protection against infection with Covid-19, but they do provide comprehensive protection against severe symptoms and deaths, according to clinical studies (Polack, 2020) (Logunov, 2021) (Baden, 2021) (Kaabi, 2021) (Shinde, 2021) (Sadoff, 2021).

Data from the clinical studies of the major vaccine manufacturers are confirmed by “real world” data from countries administering these vaccines.

The countries whose outcomes were studies include, Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Hungary, Chile, Italy and of course, South Africa.

Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik and AstraZeneca’s vaccines in countries seem to correlate in efficacy as per their clinical trial.

SinoVac has some contradictions between the studies and countries, but with the large increase in China’s vaccinated population, its effectiveness should soon be known in “real world” terms.

From all this data, the logic conclusion is that vaccines work effectively in order to reduce, or even prevent infections, hospitalisation, serious illness and death due to Covid-19.

Vaccines do not guarantee that you will not get Covid-19 but it does radically reduce the risk of contracting it and getting sick or even dying. It is all about weighing the risks.

The data shows there is one risk bigger than the vaccines, and that is not using the vaccines. Should you decide against vaccination, you must consider the risks involved. This includes your own health and the chances to contract Covid-19, but also the risk of transmitting Covid-19 to other people.

Therefore, Solidarity’s conclusion is that vaccines are safe and effective for those who decide to use them. However, everyone must make a responsible decision according to his or her own unique circumstances. Vaccines do not eliminate the use of important medications, including Ivermectin, with the treatment of Covid-19, but vaccines and Ivermectin should not be compared.

It also does not rule out continuing good practices regarding hygiene, social distancing and maintaining good eating habits and other ways of maintaining your health. Together we must, and shall, overcome this pandemic. Too many has died. Too many has lost their income, assets and hope. We must fight together and step past this pandemic.

Solidarity is currently busy with a lawsuit against the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) about the condition that only government may buy the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Solidarity demand that this condition be set aside. Solidarity questions the legality of such conditions as set by SAHPRA. Please keep an eye on Solidarity’s Facebook page for further developments regarding this.

Knowledge brings calmness!

* All information was correct at the time of publication.