As director of a national network of women living with HIV in Zimbabwe, Tendai Westerhof was used to challenging stigma. When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, she became alarmed by the fear and disinformation she saw spreading on social media.

“Each time you open a WhatsApp group, people are saying this about COVID. You go on Facebook, somebody is saying that about COVID. And there was also a movement that was starting to be anti-vaccine. People did not know what to believe.”

So Tendai decided to go public with her own vaccination, becoming the first person openly living with HIV to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

“My story was all over in the newspapers, and I encouraged the constituency, and people living with HIV, to get vaccinated.”

After Tendai’s vaccination was made public, there was an influx of people living with HIV seeking the vaccine. Now, she encourages everyone to get vaccinated.

“These vaccinations are safe, they’re efficient, and people should not be scared,” she says. “Let’s demystify the fears. It’s all meant to protect you, me, our families, our communities, and everyone.”

With many thanks to Tendai for sharing her story.