# summary - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/mandatory-vaccination/summary/ - Published: 2021-09-12T14:19:22+02:00 - Author: dearSA [ Have your say on Mandatory Vaccinations](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/mandatory-vaccination/) ### STATEMENTS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS Click on a logo to view. Want to display your organisation’s statement or video? [Click here. ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/mandatory-vaccination/summary/ manvax@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=org info for mandatory vax info page) [ ](https://www.pandata.org/) ![Freedom of Religion SA](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/ 09/20190557/ForSA_300px.png "ForSA_300px") ![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20190521/Save-the- children.jpg "Save-the-children") Close ### Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) # THE CASE FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS TO TAKING THE VACCINE [Click here to read the full article on the FORSA website](https://forsa.org.za/case-for-religious-exemptions-to-taking-the-vaccine/) ### by 󠀁[Adv Nadene Badenhorst](https://forsa.org.za/author/nadeneforsa/)󠁿 29 November 2021 _*Note:  As an organisation, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) is not for, or against, vaccination but believes it is the right of every individual to choose for themselves whether (or not) to take the vaccine, and also to express their beliefs or opinions in this regard.  _ _It should be noted that the entire area of vaccinations and vaccination mandates is very fluid. Scientific studies have proven that COVID-19 vaccinations are _[_very effective in preventing serious health consequences_](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7032e3.htm)_( including hospitalisation and death).  Equally, studies have shown that _[_vaccinations do not prevent people from contracting COVID-19_](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html)_, nor from them transmitting this disease to others.  It is also clear that _[_certain demographics are more vulnerable_](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html)_( e.g. over 65 years old with co-morbidities), whereas _[_others are virtually immune to adverse consequences_](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html)_( e.g. children under 10 years old).  There are also _[_therapeutic_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufy2AweXRkc)_ and _[_anti-retroviral treatments_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMfjtgli55Y)_ for COVID-19 which potentially have similar, positive effects to vaccinations in preventing severe health consequences.  It is equally true that millions of South Africans have already contracted (and recovered from) COVID-19, and studies show that their _[_natural immunity is basically on a par with_](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210830/Does-SARS-CoV-2-natural-infection-immunity-better-protect-against-the-Delta-variant-than-vaccination.aspx)_( and may even be superior to) the immunity generated by vaccinations.  All these may well be factors which will be argued in any case contesting mandatory vaccination policies. _ _However, the interests of FOR SA as expressed in this article are limited to the extent that religious freedom rights may be involved, and be a factor in, those who do not wish to comply with such mandates._ [Click here to read the full article on the FORSA website](https://forsa.org.za/case-for-religious-exemptions-to-taking-the-vaccine/) ### CAN YOU BE MANDATED BY YOUR EMPLOYER TO GET VACCINATED – AND IF YOU ARE INJURED BY THE VACCINE, CAN YOU SUE YOUR EMPLOYER? Dear South Africa commissioned law firm Hurter Spies to provide a legal opinion the constitutionality of mandatory workplace vaccinations against Covid-19. In SA and abroad, opinions vary as to the legality of vaccine mandates, though there is an emerging consensus that some form of balance has to be achieved when weighing up an employer’s obligation to provide a safe and secure working environment by deciding whether to enforce a mandatory vaccination policy viz-a-viz an individual’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution. “These affected rights include the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right to bodily integrity, as well as the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion,” says Hurter Spies. ### DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS DearSA legal opinion ⌊Loader⌉ Loading... ⌊EAD Logo⌉ Taking too long? ⌊Reload⌉ Reload document | [ ⌊Open⌉ Open in new tab ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/20190603/Legal-opinion.pdf) [Download [140.07 KB] ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/20190603/Legal-opinion.pdf) [ View DearSA's media release on mandatory vaccinations](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/can-you-be-mandated-by-your-employer-to-get-vaccinated/) [Department of Health – Presentation on COVID-19 Vaccination Progress](https://pmg.org.za/files/210909Covid-19_Vaccination_Progress_Presentation_-_9_September_2021.pptx) ### IN THE MEDIA * Health24 – [Amid concerns, fears over new Covid-19 virus variant – a reminder why vaccination is vital](https://www.news24.com/health24/medical/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/amid-concerns-fears-over-new-covid-19-virus-variant-a-reminder-why-vaccination-is-vital-20211127) * Businesstech – [South Africa will need to consider mandatory vaccinations and incentives in the coming months: business group](https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/526710/south-africa-will-need-to-consider-mandatory-vaccinations-and-incentives-in-the-coming-months-business-group/) * Businesstech – [Vaccinations could be made compulsory in South Africa as last resort: commission](https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/526022/vaccinations-could-be-made-compulsory-in-south-africa-as-last-resort-commission/) * BIZNews – [There is no rational basis for mandatory vaccination – PANDA](https://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2021/09/13/mandatory-vaccination-panda) * BIZNews – [Universal vaccination vs targeted vaccination – PANDA’s Nick Hudson](https://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2021/09/06/universal-vaccination) * News24 – [Like Discovery and Curro, Sanlam will also require staff to be vaccinated](https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/financial-services/like-discover-and-curro-sanlam-will-also-require-staff-to-be-vaccinated-20210910) * News24 – [Universities ponder implementing mandatory vaccination at campuses](https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/financial-services/like-discover-and-curro-sanlam-will-also-require-staff-to-be-vaccinated-20210910) * Fin24 – [We won’t make vaccination mandatory, but we might move anti-vaxxers around – Momentum CEO](https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/we-wont-make-vaccination-mandatory-but-we-might-move-anti-vaxxers-around-momentum-ceo-20210912) * BIZNews – [Mandatory vaccination: does Covid-19 pose a serious enough threat to override the Constitution?](https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2021/09/09/mandatory-vaccination-5)