A new Vaccine Confidence Report by global pharmaceutical company MSD reveals that 71-percent of South Africans are hesitant to take vaccines, one of the highest rates in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region.

The findings raise critical concerns around public trust, workforce health, and economic resilience.

To mark World Immunisation Week, MSD hosted a high-level virtual media roundtable, where leading health experts from across the continent unpacked the data and explore how vaccine confidence influences long-term investment in public health, education, and productivity.

To speak to us about this, Prof. Hannelie Meyer, Report co-author from the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre...