Faith, Distrust, and the Pandemic: An Angolan Citizen’s Rejection of the COVID‑19 Vaccine

 

COVID‑19 or Corruption? An Angolan Voice Against Vaccination

“Only Jesus Can Convince Me”: COVID-19, Distrust, and Memory in Angola

Was COVID-19 Real in Angola?

Five years after the global outbreak of COVID-19, conversations in Angola reveal something striking. When asked in 2026 whether they or their families ever contracted the virus, some citizens categorically respond:

“No one in my family got COVID. Not on my father’s side. Not on my mother’s side. COVID was only in the news.”

This perception raises deeper questions about public trust, political accountability, and collective memory.

Was COVID-19 real in Angola?
Did Angolans experience it differently?
Or was the bigger crisis one of governance and trust?

Angola and the Global Pandemic Context

Globally, COVID-19 affected millions of people, overwhelmed hospitals, and disrupted economies. Countries imposed lockdowns, restricted travel, and launched vaccination campaigns.

In Angola, strict emergency measures were implemented in 2020–2021. Borders were closed, movement was restricted, and vaccination campaigns were launched under the Ministry of Health.

Yet, for some citizens, the lived experience did not match the global narrative of devastation.

The 2021 Interview: A Citizen Speaks

In 2021, during the vaccination campaign, we interviewed an Angolan male citizen and asked:

Why are you refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine?

His response was direct and emotional:

“The government used COVID to steal money. This money was supposed to reduce poverty in the country. They should lower food prices. I am not sick. This vaccine will only bring me disease. I will not take it.”

He continued:

“We heard that a large amount of money was stolen. They lied about the vaccines. Then they asked for more money again without credible explanation. First, the President should tell us who stole the money.”

He questioned transparency:

“Where did they get the money to buy the vaccines? The Sovereign Fund informed that all the money was stolen. The Minister of Health said there is no money for vaccines because it was stolen.”

(Note: These statements reflect the interviewee’s perception and allegations, not verified facts.)

Historical Memory: The Yellow Fever Comparison

The man compared COVID-19 vaccination to Angola’s yellow fever outbreak in 2016.

“During yellow fever, vaccination was mandatory. We were afraid for our children. Even after taking it, nothing changed in our bodies. People still died.”

His reasoning reflects a broader issue:

When people do not clearly see the benefits of public health interventions, confidence decreases.

Faith Over Institutions

The most powerful part of the interview was spiritual:

“The only person who can convince me is Jesus Christ. He is the only one who deserves to be trusted.”

For this citizen, distrust in political institutions was replaced by religious conviction.

This reflects a broader sociological reality in Angola:

• Strong Christian identity

• Deep skepticism toward political leadership

• Historical concerns about corruption and inequality

2026: Pandemic Memory and Denial

Now in 2026, when revisiting communities, some people insist:

“COVID-19 was only on television.”

This raises important analytical questions:

1. Was Angola less visibly affected compared to Western countries?

2. Did limited testing reduce perceived impact?

3. Did misinformation shape public memory?

4. Did political distrust transform a health crisis into a credibility crisis?

Political Dimension

The interview reveals that for some Angolans, COVID-19 was not primarily a health crisis — it was a governance crisis.

The core issues raised were:

• Allegations of corruption

• Misuse of public funds

• Rising food prices

• Poverty

• Lack of transparency

In this narrative, the vaccine symbolized political mistrust rather than medical protection.

National and Global Implications

Angola’s experience connects to a global pattern. Across many countries:

• Vaccine hesitancy increased where trust in government was low.

• Religious beliefs influenced health decisions.

• Corruption scandals weakened compliance with public measures.

COVID-19 exposed more than a virus — it exposed fractures in public trust worldwide.

Conclusion

This interview is not simply about refusing a vaccine.

It is about:

• Trust vs. distrust

• Faith vs. state authority

• Public health vs. political accountability

• Memory vs. lived experience

The man concluded firmly:

“I will not take the vaccine. Full stop.”

Five years later, his words reflect a deeper national question:

When citizens do not trust institutions, can any public health intervention truly succeed?