KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has encouraged those who have not been jabbed to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to consider the impact of the virus on those close to them, who might be vulnerable to infection, and end up getting severely ill or even lose their lives.
KZN had vaccinated just over 2 751 million people since the process began in February this year, while more than 4.468 million were yet to be vaccinated.
Simelane has been travelling across the province promoting the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine, while shooting down the numerous pervasive myths and misconceptions about the vaccine that have fuelled hesitancy and anti-vaccine sentiments.
Speaking during a community outreach programme in the Bilanyoni area of Dumbe, where she also distributed food parcels on Wednesday, Simelane said: “Yes, getting vaccinated is extremely important. When you get a jab, you’re not only doing it to save your life, but also to protect your loved ones. I wish those who have not been vaccinated could pause and reflect on this.”
Simelane was with doctors, nurses and celebrity vaccine influencers.
During the visit, Simelane visited five local households, where 10 people were vaccinated in less that two hours.
“The intention is to go to communities, particularly townships and rural areas, to ensure that people vaccinate. As you’ve seen in KZN, the number of those who’ve been vaccinated is extremely low. We are worried about that as a province. That is why we have decided to accelerate our Operation Siyagoma Waya Waya,” Simelane said.
Simelane also appealed to the public to ignore the prevalent fake news about the vaccine, and only trust information from reputable and reliable news sources, which is based on science.
“Speaking to people directly, on the ground, about the vaccine is extremely effective. When you engage with them, some raise different concerns about the vaccine, and we’ve had to explain those. Once people get proper information, they become less hesitant and start responding positively, which is what we’re seeing,” Simelane said.
“Come the new year, we’re going to continue with that throughout the province, together with premier and the provincial executive council.”
Simelane and the team stopped at Bilanyoni Primary School, the site of the #IsibhedlelaKubantu programme, which brings a variety of mobile health-care services such as blood pressure checking; diabetes checking; audiology and eye care services; physiotherapy and dental care services; TB testing and screening; social workers and counselling; male circumcision; immunisation and well-being clinic for children under 5 years; Covid-19 screening, testing and vaccination; women’s health (maternity facilities; pap smears, breast examinations, family planning and safer conception services); doctors’ consultation, rehabilitation and referrals; hypertension, screening, testing and treatment; and primary health care (HIV testing and counselling, treatment of minor ailments, and chronic medication and referrals).
Simelane encouraged eThekwini residents and visitors to visit the pop-up site on the Durban beachfront, where she will be on New Year’s Eve.
“The pop-up site has been active since December 16, and it is there to ensure that while people are having fun, they’re also able to get vaccinated, without standing in long queues. It only takes five minutes and then you’re back to having fun, which must be done responsibly, of course.”
Daily News