The Democratic Nursing Organization of South Africa (Denosa) has been getting reports from members claiming that health institutions are swearing them to secrecy regarding side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Denosa acting general-secretary Cassim Lekhoathi openly admitted that side effects were inevitable, however, transparency needed to be a priority.

“This issue of side effects is a common expectation. Whenever you take medication, any type of medication, there’s a possibility that you will have side effects, and then you will react.

“In this case, we are advised that some people have been told that they must not express or talk about their experience of the side effects because it will sort of discouraging other people from getting the vaccine, which I think it is not well-thought-of, if the patient reacts, you need to act.

” Nurses need to be forthcoming but are afraid to as they are being warned to keep quiet.

Angie Motshekga’s department said it was evident that protocols and various government gazettes outlining safety measures to curb the spread of the virus during contact sports were not working.