Towards a People’s Vaccine Campaign – A Call to Action [Abridged Version]
Towards a People’s Vaccine Campaign
— A CALL TO ACTION —
[*Please note that this is the abridged version, for the full statement and updated list of endorsements, please see here*]
The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc in South Africa and globally, millions are being infected and dying. Vaccinating a significant part of the population is the only realistic way to defeat the pandemic. Achieving this will require international co-operation and solidarity, while unity in action across all sectors of our society is now urgent. We need vigilance and solidarity to slow the rate of infection and to ensure that health facilities are not overwhelmed. The reported acquisition of 1,5 million doses of C-19 vaccines for frontline health care workers is welcomed, but this must be the start of urgently acquiring millions more. It is estimated that between 40 to 80 million doses will be needed, along with a massive roll-out effort to achieve herd immunity. This cannot be done by the government alone. We, the people, especially the millions of poor and working-class people, must be central to this effort.
A People’s Movement for the Vaccine
This call to action arises out of a broad-based demand for urgent mobilisation to ensure equitable vaccine access and allocation, which is endorsed by over 500 organisations and individuals, who now raise a call for the creation of a People’s Vaccine Campaign. It is inspired by the People’s Vaccine Alliance and Free the Vaccine campaigns globally.
Our government’s poor record of public service delivery, widespread corruption and mismanagement, as well as the profiteering by the pharmaceutical industry, private healthcare and other corporate interests are key contributors to the dire state of our health system, as well as risks to the equitable vaccine access required. While recent lack of transparency about the vaccine plans and delays in securing access to supplies have built little trust.
A people’s movement must participate actively in the discussions to shape and provide oversight to the national vaccination roll-out programme. The role of labour (especially front-line workers), civil society, social movements, communities and people’s organisations is crucial to defeat the pandemic.
Why Do We Need a United Response?
1) SA’s Unequal Health System(s)
SA is the most unequal country in the world. Our healthcare system(s) symbolize this with half of our healthcare expenditure serving only 16% of the population. The other half covering 84% of our people, mainly the poor and black working class. While the combined resources of both are critical to the success of a People’s Vaccine Campaign, without collaborative coordination free from predatory and profiteering practices, we will not see the end of this pandemic.
2) Gendered Disparities
Women generally carry the greater burden of health and care in society, and also suffer disproportionately from illness, poverty and violence. Continued delays in the vaccine roll-out risks deepening the gendered divide, and increasing both their exposure to the virus and burden of responsibility for caring for their family in the event of infection and death.
3) Austerity in a Pandemic is disastrous
The scale of the required roll-out requires massive funding for the public health system. Yet, the government remains committed to austerity, with National Treasury cutting R3.9 billion in real terms from Public Health budget in February 2020. While 2018 estimates put vacancies in the public health system at 37 000, those won’t be filled with such drastic cuts in the budget.
4) The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) maintains patent monopolies, controlling information about how to make the vaccine. This prevents SA and others from being able to make and distribute affordable vaccines. TRIPS must be suspended for all vaccine-related information.
5) Vaccine Nationalism and Xenophobia
Many countries are addressing the pandemic on a narrow, nationalist basis. Wealthy nations in Europe, Canada and the USA have pre-ordered large numbers of vaccine doses which exceed the need of their own populations. Some countries are refusing to vaccinate migrants and asylum seekers or populations under their occupation. The vaccine must be for all of us.
6) Community Healthcare Workers (CHW)
Thousands of CHWs have been recruited, but their employment is insecure, irregular and low-paid. The majority of CHWs are women who are overburdened, with precarious employment. They must have immediate vaccine access and guaranteed job security.
7) Disinformation and Vaccine Skepticism
The rise of misinformation, science denialism, anti-vaxxer sentiments and vaccine hesitancy presents an incredibly worrying picture. While skepticism of government, the pharmaceutical industry and of the private health sector has created fertile ground for opportunism and fear-mongering.
Towards a People’s Vaccine Campaign
We are building a campaign to ensure equitable access to vaccines for everyone. Without widespread vaccination, we will not be able to end this pandemic. We must:
Pressure the Government to Build the Public Health System and Reverse Austerity
There must be increased health spending to build the capacity of the national health system, and National Health Insurance (NHI) to ensure decent and equal healthcare for all.
This includes full-time public sector employment for CHWs and the appointment of additional nurses. The terms and conditions of the 2018 PSCBC collective agreement should be restored. In addition, in face of the socio-economic impact of Covid-19 and inequality in our country, the implementation of a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) is now nothing less than a dire necessity.
Mobilise Civil Society to Demand Meaningful Representation
We must lobby for the inclusion of civil society and communities in various stakeholder forums where plans for the roll-out of vaccines are being formulated. We can campaign and educate communities about vaccines as well as monitor implementation to call out any form of inequity, unfairness, corruption, theft, mismanagement or even inefficiencies.
Combat the Wave of Anti-Vaccine Disinformation
We learnt with HIV/AIDS that disinformation amidst distrust, uncertainty and fear costs lives. This requires national information and educative engagement on all platforms. Lives now depend on building public health education in many languages and with many stakeholders.
Support Price Regulation, Control and Price Transparency of ALL Vaccines
We support measures that seek to ensure that the WTO, rich countries and the pharmaceutical industry do not continue to enforce Intellectual Property laws, patent and pricing barriers that undermine universal access to vaccines, and thereby also limit mass immunization.
We support the call for the vaccine to be declared a ‘public good’.
Let us join together to help grow a People’s Vaccine Campaign for South Africa.
To endorse, please add your details here
For inquiries, please contact: peoplesvaccinecampaign@gmail.com
Follow for updates:
Facebook: C19 People’s Coalition
Twitter: @CovidCoalition
[*Please note that this is the abridged version, for the full statement and updated list of individual and organisational endorsements, please see here*]
Current list of organisations and individuals that endorsed the call, alphabetically: (Add details here to endorse)
(*Last Updated: 04/03/2021)
Organisations (Along with 389 Individuals)
| 1 | #Churchoutofthebox |
| 2 | 350Africa.org |
| 3 | Abahlali baseMjondolo |
| 4 | ACT Ubumbano |
| 5 | Active Citizens Movement |
| 6 | Active Citizens Movement – Pietermaritzburg |
| 7 | Advice Desk for the Abused |
| 8 | Africa Revival Foundation |
| 9 | Africa Unite |
| 10 | African Alliance |
| 11 | African Centre for Biodiversity |
| 12 | African Water Commons Collective |
| 13 | Ahmed Kathrada Foundation |
| 14 | AIDS Foundation of South Africa |
| 15 | Alexandra Peace Ambassadors |
| 16 | Alison Lockhart |
| 17 | Alternative Information and Development Centre |
| 18 | Amadiba Crisis Committee |
| 19 | Amandla Collective |
| 20 | Anglican Church of Southern Africa |
| 21 | Asijiki Coalition |
| 22 | Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute (ASRI) |
| 23 | Belle and Company |
| 24 | Bench Marks Foundation (BMF) |
| 25 | Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UCT Graduate School of Business |
| 26 | Black Sash |
| 27 | Bo-Kaap Ratepayers and Civic Organisation |
| 28 | Botshabelo Unemployed Movement |
| 29 | Botshbelo Unemployed Movement |
| 30 | Bryanston 2 CAN |
| 31 | BTF Public Health Advocacy Forum |
| 32 | C19 People’s Coalition |
| 33 | Cancer Alliance (Representing 29 Organisations) |
| 34 | Centre for Applied Legal Studies |
| 35 | Centre for Education Rights and Transformation |
| 36 | Centre for Social Change – University of Johannesburg |
| 37 | Children’s Radio Foundation |
| 38 | Children’s Resource Centre |
| 39 | Children’s Rights Ministry |
| 40 | Christian Development Trust Foundation (CDTF) |
| 41 | Citizen Surveys |
| 42 | Citizens Network Africa |
| 43 | Claremont Main Road Mosque |
| 44 | Coastal Resources Centre |
| 45 | Community Development Foundation Western Cape |
| 46 | Community Safety Campaign |
| 47 | Compassion Ministries International |
| 48 | CONECKT |
| 49 | Congress of South African Students (COSAS ) |
| 50 | Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) |
| 51 | Connect Network |
| 52 | Corruption Watch |
| 53 | Critical Art and Design Revolutionary Education (CADRE) |
| 54 | Delphi Capital Partners International |
| 55 | Democracy Development Program |
| 56 | Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (DEMAWUSA) |
| 57 | Denis Hurley Centre |
| 58 | Disabled Migrants Rights Networking Organisation |
| 59 | Drs RK Thobejane and Partners Inc |
| 60 | DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, UWC |
| 61 | eduACTION Community Education SA |
| 62 | Eluthandweni Maternity Health Services |
| 63 | Environmental Monitoring Group |
| 64 | Equal Education |
| 65 | Extend a Life Initiative – Uganda |
| 66 | Extinction Rebellion Nelson Mandela Bay |
| 67 | Extinction Rebellion South Africa |
| 68 | Ficksburg Community Advice Office |
| 69 | Fight Inequality Alliance South Africa |
| 70 | Foundation for Human Rights |
| 71 | Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee |
| 72 | Gauteng Together |
| 73 | Global South Against Xenophobia (GSAX) |
| 74 | Gugulethu Can |
| 75 | Health Justice Initiative |
| 76 | HealthEnabled |
| 77 | Housing Assembly |
| 78 | Human Rights Forum |
| 79 | Human Rights Institute of South Africa |
| 80 | iKhaya eLitsha Hub |
| 81 | Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa |
| 82 | Institute for Economic Justice |
| 83 | Institute for Economic Research on Innovation |
| 84 | Institute for Poverty, Land & Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), UWC |
| 85 | International Labour, Research & Information Group |
| 86 | Inyanda National Land Movement |
| 87 | Iranti |
| 88 | Johannesburg Against Injustice |
| 89 | Just Associates (JASS) South Africa |
| 90 | Kadesh International |
| 91 | Katlehong CAN |
| 92 | Keepleft/Socialism from Below |
| 93 | Kensington CAN (Johannesburg) |
| 94 | Khanyisa Education and Development Trust |
| 95 | Khulumani Support Group |
| 96 | Lameze Abrahams Psychologists |
| 97 | Lawyers For Human Rights |
| 98 | Legal Resources Centre |
| 99 | Liberateasoul |
| 100 | Lifa Lesive Community Development Agency |
| 101 | Maitland Garden Village Housing Forum |
| 102 | Malengine Corruption Watch |
| 103 | Mariann Coordinating Committee |
| 104 | Marikana Support Campaign |
| 105 | Market Users Committee (MUC) |
| 106 | MASIBUYISANE |
| 107 | Masifundise Development Trust |
| 108 | Media Monitoring Africa |
| 109 | Medicore |
| 110 | Molly Smit Events |
| 111 | Molo Songololo |
| 112 | Mopani Farmers Association |
| 113 | Mosu/Buhari Collective |
| 114 | Mowbray & Rosebank CAN |
| 115 | Muslim Youth Movement |
| 116 | NAPWA |
| 117 | National Labour & Economic Development Institute (NALEDI) |
| 118 | National Union of Care Workers of South Africa (NUCWOSA) |
| 119 | National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) |
| 120 | NEHAWU |
| 121 | New Unity Movement |
| 122 | Nkuzi Development Association NPC |
| 123 | Noordhoek & Fish Hoek CAN |
| 124 | Norwood, Orange grove And Houghton (NOAH) CAN |
| 125 | Open Secrets |
| 126 | Organizational Culture Consulting |
| 127 | OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) |
| 128 | Outreach Foundation |
| 129 | Palestine Solidarity Campaign |
| 130 | Pan African Chamber of Commerce |
| 131 | People’s Health Movement – South Africa |
| 132 | Progressive Health Forum |
| 133 | Psychological Society of South Africa – PsySSA |
| 134 | Public Affairs Research Institute |
| 135 | Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) |
| 136 | Public Services International |
| 137 | ReCreate South Africa |
| 138 | Refugee Social Services |
| 139 | Rights for All Foundation |
| 140 | Rural Health Advocacy Project – Division of WITS Health Consortium |
| 141 | Rural Women’s Assembly – Free State |
| 142 | SA BDS Coalition |
| 143 | SACP |
| 144 | Sakha Isizwe Drop In Centre |
| 145 | SAMWU Back-to-Work Campaign |
| 146 | SARChI Chair in Gender Politics |
| 147 | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
| 148 | SEATINI – South Africa |
| 149 | SECTION27 |
| 150 | Seriti Institute |
| 151 | Siyakholwa Support Centre |
| 152 | Society Work & Politics Institute |
| 153 | Socio-economic Rights Institute of South Africa |
| 154 | Sonke Gender Justice |
| 155 | Sophiatown Community Psychological Services |
| 156 | South Africa Rural Women’s Assembly |
| 157 | South African Council of Churches Gauteng |
| 158 | South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) |
| 159 | South African Development Community CNGO (SADC-CNGO) |
| 160 | Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) |
| 161 | Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI) |
| 162 | Southern African Green Revolutionary Council (SAGRC) |
| 163 | SPACE4Impact |
| 164 | St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church, Hatfield |
| 165 | StellCARE: Stellenbosch & Districts Family Services |
| 166 | Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute |
| 167 | Tafelsig Mitchells Plain CAN |
| 168 | Takuwani Riime(Stand up) Foundation |
| 169 | TB Proof |
| 170 | The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation |
| 171 | The Orginization Undoing Tax Abuse |
| 172 | The Soap Cycle |
| 173 | Transformation in Action Skills NPO |
| 174 | Transition Township – Kwazakhele Development Agency (KDA) Amandla |
| 175 | Treatment Action Campaign |
| 176 | Trust for Community Outreach Education |
| 177 | Tshintsha Amakhaya (TA) |
| 178 | Twyg |
| 179 | Vaccine Advocacy Resource Group |
| 180 | Vulamasango Singene |
| 181 | Wattville CAN |
| 182 | Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability |
| 183 | Women on Farms Project |
| 184 | Women’s League |
| 185 | WoMin African Alliance |
| 186 | Workers’ World Media Productions |
| 187 | Young Hearts for Palestine |
| 188 | Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union (YNITU) |
| 189 | Youth in Action – Middledrift |
| 190 | Zero Waste Association of South Africa |
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For expressions of interest and inquiries, please contact: peoplesvaccinecampaign@gmail.com
