Covid-19 and the View from Africa

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3265809
AutoresTim Davies (0000-0002-0120-5222), T J G Davies (Cardiff University, autor correspondente), Kenneth Matengu (0000-0003-3438-5052), Kenneth Kamwi Matengu (University of Namibia), Judith E Hall (0000-0002-6770-7372, University of Namibia)
Ano2023
Volume14
Fascículo5
Páginas589
Data de publicação2023-04-29
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel14050589
OpenAlexW4367625898
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas61

In Africa, refusal of COVID-19 and other vaccines is widespread for different reasons, including disbelief in the existence of the virus itself and faith in traditional remedies. In sub-Saharan countries, refusal is often made worse by opposition to vaccines by the religious establishments. This is a pressing problem, as Africa has the highest vaccine-avoidable mortality rate for children under the age of five in the world. Dialogue between those wishing to promote vaccines and those who resist them is essential if the situation is to be improved. This article argues that Western and other aid agencies seeking to promote vaccination programs need to develop a dialogue with resisters, and in this process to embrace and commend the ancient African philosophical tradition of Ubuntu, incorporating it into these programs as a way to overcome such entrenched resistance. The paper concludes with concrete recommendations for how to accomplish this goal

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Biology · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Epistemology · Faith · Outbreak · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Vaccination · African cultural and philosophical studies · Law · Medicine · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Virology