New Germany residents happy with Covid-19 jab process

THE third week of Covid-19 vaccinations drew to a close with 637,801 people having received their first Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Premier Sihle Zikalala said the province plans to ramp up its vaccine rollout this week by adding 24 new inoculation sites, bringing the total to 166.

Throughout these three weeks, the Highway Mail received letters of gratitude from the senior citizens who were happy with the process.

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New Germany couple, Rev Thabiso and Thozeka Letuka are among the hundreds of thousands who received their first dose.

The Letukas said they heard about the registration for the vaccination on the news and did not waste time.

On 25 May, the couple drove to Clairwood Hospital for their first Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine dose.

“I won’t lie, we were sceptical, we did not know what to expect but then the warm welcome, starting from the entrance gate, took away all our fear.”

Thabiso’s anxiety was not only caused by not knowing the symptoms he was going to develop from the vaccine but also by the needles.

The grateful reverend told the Highway Mail that the whole experience and treatment from the staff was just highly exceptional.

“We just told ourselves, come what may, we are doing this and if it was our fate to die together then it shall be. We did this to fight this pandemic even though we are aware that the vaccination is not an assurance that we will not get Covid-19,” said Thabiso.

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The couple said they went through six rooms and everything was explained to them. They said the clear signage throughout the area also made the process smoother.

Even though the Letukas said they did experience the after-effects, which includes nausea and a headache, they were not worried as it was clearly explained to them that they might have those symptoms.

“I think we experience those after effects so that the vaccine can adapt to our system, we were told to take Panado tablets for the pain and we are in a perfectly good state,” said Thozeka.

After the injection, they were told to wait for 15 minutes before leaving the hospital.

The couple said they encourage other senior citizens to get vaccinated.

“Also when it’s time for the younger people, they should also go.”

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Thabiso reminded the public that vaccinations are not a new thing. “It has always been there, for years people have been getting vaccines for various illnesses.”

Now that they have been vaccinated, the couple said they were looking forward to receiving their second jab on 6 July.

They added that the Covid-19 has changed their perspective on life for the better, saying the pandemic has taught them to respect life and take care of themselves and their health.

“We are forever busy with many other things and forget about our health and our loved ones.”

With the first dose rolled out, the Letukas pleaded with the Department of Health to try and speed up the service so that the vaccination can reach the vulnerable and underprivileged in the rural areas.

“In those areas, they do not know how to register, but all in all we are happy with what they have been doing from capturing the data system to the staff who make us feel welcome in the welcome centres.

“It does not go unnoticed, we appreciate it,” he said.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting