This province has already vaccinated well over 450 000 people, and Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, want to see these numbers rapidly increasing.

They are of the opinion the only way to get these numbers up and everyone vaccinated is by taking the campaign directly to the people and focusing on the deep rural areas of Mpumalanga.

Mtshweni-Tsipane and Manzini visited Acornhoek and surrounds within the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality a fortnight ago, where they spent the better part of the weekend monitoring vaccination sites and pleading with communities to take the jab.

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These two politicians also led successful vaccination drives, including rolling out massive vaccination campaigns in Sasol in Secunda, Safcol in Barberton, Kusile Power Station in eMalahleni, Roburnia Plantation in Amsterdam and Matla Coal Mine in Kriel.

Last Friday, Manzini, joined by the biggest motorbike clubs in Southern Africa, the Sapa Yopa and Sun Riders, led yet another massive vaccination drive at Mbombela Stadium, where the bikers received their jabs. On Monday, the newly appointed minister of health, Dr Joe Phaahla, visited the Nkomazi subregion’s vaccination sites.

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“We are happy that the vaccination drive is rolling out quite nicely. We are taking this drive directly to our people, and as you can see the turnout is really pleasing,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane, who once again urged the public to continue to register and get vaccinated.

Phase 1 of the vaccination roll-out was carried out using the single dose of Johnson&Johnson, targeting 51 156 healthcare workers.

The second phase of the vaccination programme saw the elderly of 60 years and above being vaccinated; the province vaccinated 215 038 of its 381 716 registered senior citizens.

Reluctance from members of the community to take the jab has been great, due to myths and fears surrounding the vaccines.

There were reports of some healthcare workers, including doctors, discouraging patients from getting the vaccination based on doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

The South African Medical Association has spoken out strongly against this and urged the public to take the jab.

“There is high confidence among the scientific and medical community about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines being rolled out in the country, and they have also undergone safety and efficacy tests by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

These are overwhelming endorsements in the vaccines, and there should be no doubt that every citizen must get them,” e association’s chairperson, Dr Angelique Coetzee.