Professor Salim Abdool Karim has reiterated his calls to restrict the unvaccinated from attending indoor events – Photo from Siyasanga Mbambani/DoC.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim has reiterated his calls to restrict the unvaccinated from attending indoor events – Photo from Siyasanga Mbambani/DoC.
Two years into a pandemic, and six months after the vaccine was officially rolled out in South Africa, the scientific community is seeing its patience wear thin with unvaccinated citizens – and Professor Salim Abdool Karim has proposed a contentious measure to help fight the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Keep the unvaccinated out of indoor settings? That’s what Salim Abdool Karim has suggested…
The infectious disease expert believes that a sharp rise in cases, fuelled by the newly discovered Omicron strain, will eventually pile the pressure on our hospitals over the festive season.
Furthermore, it’s understood that fully vaccinated individuals will still have a high degree of protection against severe illness and death, despite the troublesome mutations presented by Omicron. Abdool Karim is one of many, many leading scientists who fears that this new variant will hit the unvaccinated hard.
Omicron variant latest – what’s there to worry about?
So, what’s his solution for those still refusing the jab? Earlier today, the professor proposed a ban on unvaccinated individuals attending indoor events and situations, where the risk of transmission rises.
“We do expect there will be more reinfections, and possible cases of breakthrough infections for those who have had their vaccines. But the vaccinated are much less likely to develop severe COVID-19 as a result of Omicron. Only vaccinated people should be allowed to attend indoor events [where the risk of transmission is high].”
Salim Abdool Karim
Unvaccinated may soon face ‘targeted measures’
His suggestion is certainly controversial, but it reflects a deep frustration coming from health officials and politicians in South Africa. On Sunday evening, Cyril Ramaphosa revealed he was less than impressed with the low vaccination rates, and just 35.6% of eligible South Africans have had their required COVID jabs so far.
Salim Abdool Karim expects to see pressure on South African hospitals in the next 2-3 weeks. Says higher transmissibility of #OmicronVariant is likely even if it doesn't make people sicker. Says risky, indoor situations should be restricted to vaccinated people. #COVID19
— Laura López González (@LLopezGonzalez) November 29, 2021
