Vaccines for aged are being rolled out now

BETHAL – Covid-19 vaccines for the elderly and vulnerable people in society are being rolled out in the Govan Mbeki municipal area this week.

Alert messages are being sent to those who have applied.

Bethal Hospital was geared to begin the vaccination process on Monday, 17 May.

Dr Zweli Mkhize, South Africa’s minister for health, recently raised his concern over several areas in the country where there was a spike of more than 20 per cent in reported cases within 14 days.

The Gert Sibande District in which Govan Mbeki Municipality is zoned, is one of these spots of concerned.

Mpumalanga’s number of reported cases stood at almost 80 000 on Sunday, 16 May of which more than 77 400 people have recovered.

The total of Covid 19-related deaths in the province reported by Sunday is 1 421.

Dr Mkhize said the aim is to vaccinated 1,2 million people by the end of the week as part of the phase 2 vaccine programme.

Citizens of 60 years and older can register to be vaccinated via:

1. online at www.vaccine.enroll.gov.za
2. using the WhatsApp line 0600 123456
3. By SMS – dial *134*832#
4. Call the Covid-19 hotline at 0800 029 999
5. You can also use the new QR-simply scan and follow the prompts. The QR code will be published widely and can be found on sacoronavirus website or the national Department of Health’s website.

More than 1,2 million people have already registered and 914 000 health care workers.

If you have missed your appointment for some unforeseen reason, you can ask to have your appointment reschedule.

Dr Mkhize said in a statement that those who received a vaccine can expect to have mild flue-like symptoms afterwards, such as mild fever, headaches and tiredness, as well as redness and swelling around the point of the injection.

The minister cautioned citizens to still adhere to the necessary Covid-19 safety precautions because no vaccine is 100 per cent effective.