Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Five reasons why you should have the COVID-19 vaccination
The South African government has secured sufficient doses to vaccinate over 40 million people in South Africa, well within the target set out for the national campaign. As we get closer to Phase 2 in the national vaccination rollout, learn more about why you should have the COVID-19 vaccination.
Understanding how viruses work once they are inside
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Other conditions caused by viruses include the common cold, flu, measles, chickenpox and many more.
Eight reasons why COVID-19 vaccines have been created so quickly
Remarkable technology has fuelled the development of the various COVID-19 vaccines being produced around the world. Let's explore the reasons for their rapid development and explain the rigorous process that each vaccine goes through before being approved for use.
We must keep up our guard and continue to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection. We must also take the lessons from our devastating second wave of infection. Our individual choices will fundamentally define the timing, scale and severity of our nation's third wave of COVID-19 infection.
Understanding the front runner COVID-19 vaccines
South Africa has overcome the second wave of COVID-19 infection. However, as experts warn, a third wave of infection could be upon us soon. It's important that we all understand how the various COVID-19 vaccines being developed globally work.
Getting your vaccine is like getting your driver's license
"Vaccines are a type of medicine that trains the body's immune system to be able to fight a disease it's never actually come into contact with," says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Head of Discovery Health's Centre for Clinical Excellence. "If we later become infected with the disease, our immune system will already know how to fight it, so it can respond quickly and prevent a serious illness from developing."
Adrian Gore shares Discovery View on SA Covid-19
There is considerable anxiety about South Africa's COVID-19 vaccination programme. I am reaching out to you to explain Discovery's position on it, and our deep commitment to helping to make it successful for all South Africans. Right now, nothing is more important.
Understanding SA's vaccine rollout plan
In his 11 January National Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that South Africa, like countries the world over, is undertaking a massive COVID-19 vaccination programme.Vaccines offer to the peoples of the world a means to control the coronavirus pandemic.
There's never been a more important time to protect yourself against COVID-19 misinformation. Debunking misinformation is essential when it comes to the safety and efficacy of delivering vaccines to fight the virus.
Imagine layers of protection against COVID-19 as slices of Swiss cheese stacked one after the other. In recent months, experts have made reference to the "Swiss cheese metaphor" to explain how every preventive action has flaws, but together they create a powerful barrier against the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Our choices this holiday are key to delaying a possible third wave of COVID-19 infections
South Africa has overcome the second wave of COVID-19 infection and moved to alert level 1. We're also approaching the April break - a time when people might, while relaxing with loved ones, be prone to relaxing their caution around preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, as experts warn, a third wave of infection could be upon us soon.
The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit is available to all members of Retail Medical Scheme during a declared outbreak period. The benefit covers you for the COVID-19 vaccine as well as a defined basket of care for out-of-hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19.
We've all heard people refer to the time periods relating to isolation for those who contract COVID-19, or quarantine for those who are exposed to the disease. But how well do we understand how long it might take to recover from COVID 19? And how does that period differ between individuals?
Answers to key questions around COVID-19
Answers to important questions about COVID-19 vaccines