Joy and relief as teachers receive much awaited Covid-19 vaccine at Witkoppen Clinic

Teachers from the Johannesburg North District expressed joy and relief after they received their Covid-19 vaccines at Witkoppen Clinic.

This was after the much-awaited teachers’ vaccine programme commenced amid the third wave on June 23, which follows the arrival of the first batch of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines meant for teachers countrywide.

Teachers of both public and private schools braved the cold winter morning to receive the once-off vaccine jab at the facility.

Medical administration officer at Witkoppen Clinic, Lolo Njisane said teachers have responded very well to the government’s call to get vaccinated.

“Educators have come out in their numbers to get vaccinated and long queues at the vaccination section attest to that. In the past few days, since we started the vaccination programme, more than 2 000 educators have been vaccinated. We had to turn back a number of educators who were not appearing in the system,” Njisane said.

“I cannot describe the joy and relief we’ve witnessed of those who have already received their jabs, the reaction is amazing. So far, the vaccination process in the facility is going smooth and we are looking forward to vaccinate more people.”

Njisane added that the facility was also conducting a senior citizens vaccination programme for those over 60 years old.

The City of Johannesburg’s Region A Health deputy director, Nelly Shongwe explained how the vaccination process will work. When those who are eligible for a vaccine come to the centre, they should arrive with their identity document, passport or asylum papers.

“When you get to the registration point you will first be screened. After screening, if you are presenting any symptoms that are Covid-19-related, we are immediately going to remove you from the queue to go and be swabbed or tested for Covid-19 as you will be a red flag.

“After swabbing, you will be released to go home and wait for the results. If the results come out negative, you will be called back to continue with your process of vaccination. If you are Covid-19 positive, you will have to quarantine. The same goes for people who come to the facility not feeling well, they won’t be vaccinated because one has to be healthy to be vaccinated.”

After screening, the person will move to another desk where they will be met by a team of verifiers or admin personnel. “You are going to produce your ID, then they will [capture] your ID on the system. The system will then reveal all your information and you will get a voucher to move to the next stage.

“If residents are going to receive the Pfizer vaccine, they will be informed about the side effects and when they will need to receive their second vaccine.”

Shongwe highlighted that through the process, they want to ensure that residents feel comfortable.

After counselling, the resident will move to the main section, be set up for vaccination and then be vaccinated. Thereafter, they will move to another section where they will be observed for about 10 to 15 minutes to check that they are not developing any side effects.

Shongwe concluded, “If they are fine after 15 minutes, they will go through the nurses who will then release them to go home.”