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Q&A: Six things you’d want to know about COVID jabs

South Africa is on the verge of rolling out COVID vaccines widely, but can we vaccinate children and pregnant women, and which jabs work against the 501Y.V2 variants identified in South Africa? We asked the epidemiologist and former ministerial advisory committee chairperson, Salim Adbool Karim.

What does COVID-19 mean for people with HIV and TB? Check out the data

Plus, why new, simpler TB prevention medication couldn't come at a better time for South Africa. Check out these resources from our latest webinar.

Asked and answered: Six things you need to know about the new COVID variant...

In December 2020, scientists announced that a new variant of the coronavirus had been identified in South Africa. Here's a look at what we've learnt in the past month about the new variant that is driving the country's second wave of infections.

The jabs that could save us — an introduction to COVID vaccines for journos

We co-hosted an online course on COVID vaccine science for journalists. The course content was conceptualised by Bhekisisa and the Centre for Evidence-based Health Care...
South Africa has the eighth highest rate of suicide in the world

‘Your life is altered, but it’s not the end’: Life with HIV, stigma and...

The dark days of the HIV pandemic are over, but patients still face social stigma. And emotional distress that can push them to stop treatment or even into a deep depression. Hear it first-hand from people who’ve lived it.

Would your party shut down coal-fired power plants — or keep them running? 

Eskom will keep three coal-fired power plants running until 2030 instead of starting to shut them down, as promised. This sets back South Africa’s international commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 to help keep global warming at bay. How does your party plan to fight climate change?

What does moral injury feel like? A guide for health workers

South African health workers have to make difficult treatment decisions every day, but epidemics make it worse. Go inside the moral distress of working on the  COVID-19 and HIV frontlines with two doctors who saw it first-hand. 

Lockdown cheat sheet: Adjusted level 4 extended until 25 July

Gauteng is closed for the next two weeks. Gym sessions are over for now, as are alcohol sales and visits with your friends and family at home.

How to be a health reporter: Asking the right questions of research

Cochrane South Africa and the Medical Research Council explain how research studies are designed and which are best to use in your reporting.

The SHINE trial – hope for shorter, kinder TB treatment for children

Bhekisisa speaks to researchers from the SHINE TB trial on advances the study has made in shortening treatment periods for children with minimal TB.

‘This could be a game changer’: What you need to know about the eight-weekly...

Finally, a better HIV prevention choice for women. Here’s what we know about cabotegravir and what we don’t.

Overseas trips & a midnight curfew: This is life in lockdown level 1

You can hang out with your friends for two hours longer but night clubs are still off limits. Here’s what else is new.
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What’s unique about the body’s response to the 501Y.V2 variant? Find out

New research shows that protection against the 501Y.V2 variant could also extend to other variants — including the original virus circulating the country and the variant first identified in Brazil. Understanding the immune response to the new form of the virus in South Africa can help shape how vaccines are designed for more long-lasting and wider protection.
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Are you stuck at home with your abuser? This tool can help

This free tool will point you to gender-based violence services closest to you – no mobile data required.
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Why science & research can be hard to swallow: The giant hamburger of trust

The scientific process is like a hamburger. By examining the quality of each ingredient, you can see how good the end product is. You wouldn’t want mouldy bread or wilted lettuce ruining a perfectly good meal — and similarly you don’t want bad science ruining what could otherwise be a perfectly good vaccine. We look at whether Sputnik V could make it onto the menu.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of vaccination. Here’s why young people should get the...

Are you confused about COVID vaccines? A lot of young people are on the fence about whether they should get their jab or not. To put your mind at ease, we had an infectious diseases expert break it down.