17 Dec 2025

Based on the scientific information gathered so far, COVID-19 vaccinations have side-effects profile which are generally similar to those of routine vaccines.
The use of the vaccines and other medicines in health care are always a risk-benefit exercise, Minister of Health told Parliament recently.
Dr Stephen Modise said that following COVID-19 vaccinations, there were some adverse events recorded in Botswana but assured the Parliament  that COVID-19 vaccines remained safe to be used, to protect lives when faced with a pandemic of the proportion of COVID-19.
He said the vaccines were approved by reputable health authorities and played a crucial role in reducing severe illness, hospitalisation and deaths.
A total number of 1.7 million in Botswana received two doses, translating into a total of 3.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, Dr Modise said.
Out of this total number of doses administered, he said the country recorded eight confirmed vaccine related serious adverse events following immunisation (SAEFIs).
He said this reflected that a proportionally higher population had either mild reactions or no reactions while severe adverse effects identified included blood clotting disorders, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), sudden weakness of the lower limbs, severe body pains and stroke.
The minister said there was one confirmed death due to vaccine reaction.
There is an established Botswana national pharmacovigilance programme to monitor and manage safety of medicines and vaccines, the components of which are existence of adverse drug reaction monitoring centers in different hospitals across the country, continued training for health care workers on timely AEFI detection and reporting, continued capacity-building for district AEFI investigation teams, monitoring and communication on vaccine safety, Dr Modise said.
The programme also includes risk communication and community engagement and assurance, as the safety signal detection through routine data analysis as well as availing standardised tools for reporting to both the public and health professionals, he added.
Minister Modise reassured the public that the COVID-19 vaccines were safe for the public and remained useful even to date.
He said while their primary focus during the pandemic was preventing direct loss of life, they were fully aware that there might be health consequences that were substantial.
Dr Modise said the ministry was committed to monitoring these effects closely and led government efforts in restoring and improving public health even in the years to come. ENDS