[imagesource: YouTube / Last Week Tonight]

In South Africa, there is still plenty of time for those who say they won’t take any COVID-19 vaccine to change their minds.

After all, if the timeline offered by our government goes to plan (and that is an almighty ‘if’), the general population will be offered vaccines under Phase 3 from November through to February of next year.

It’s a different story over in the US, where Americans’ hesitancy to receive the shots outweighs expanding eligibility and access.

That isn’t helped by overblown reports of vaccine side-effects and fearmongering from certain high profile media figures.

Podcaster Joe Rogan didn’t cover himself in glory with some recent comments about who should and shouldn’t get the jab, although he did at least offer an apology.

This from Decider:

…Rogan, a comedian and podcaster, said on his Spotify show that he would tell “healthy” 21-year-olds they don’t need to worry about getting vaccinated…

The “Joe Rogan Experience” host has since apologized, calling himself “a fucking moron” for his comments about the vaccine, insisting he’s “not an anti-vaxx person,” and believes the vaccines are safe.

“I’m not a doctor … I’m a cage fighting commentator who’s a dirty standup comedian who just told you I’m drunk most of the time and I do testosterone and I smoke a lot of weed. But I’m not a respected source of information, even for me,” Rogan said.

There’s not much that John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight, can add to that, but he did touch on Rogan’s comments during his show this past weekend.

He also took aim at those who are hindering efforts to achieve vaccine herd immunity:

“And the problem is, for the coronavirus, the herd immunity threshold is thought to be between 70 and 90 percent of the population, but a survey found that while 60 percent of American adults have got — or want to get — the vaccine, and about 18 percent say ‘maybe,’ and 22 percent say ‘no,” Oliver added.

Pulling in Rogan’s comments from last week, the late night host continued, “If you’re thinking, ‘Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll need it. Joe Rogan says I’m probably fine. Look, it is true: You might not get seriously sick from COVID — or indeed sick at all — but you could still inadvertently pass it to someone who could then die.”

We know from the never-ending supply of anti-mask videos that caring for the safety of others isn’t exactly a top priority for many.

The Brit made a great point when he said that anti-vaxxers “don’t actually need to convince people they are right. They just need to convince people that no one is.”

Oliver also focused on how those who may not be keen to get ay COVID-19 vaccine could be reassured, so take notes if you find yourself trying to convince a family member or friend.

Take it away, John:

[source:decider]