Patients question Evander Hospital’s vaccine administering
All of them had also received SMS’ stating they had received their second of the two doses on September 17, with proof of vaccination code and completing their vaccinations.
The Ridge Times published a story of Ms Jacomina “Jaci” Fourie (65) who has been struggling to have her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine administered after the system shows she had already received but in actual fact had not.
Ms Fourie who has since left Secunda and is now residing in Barberton and has been contacted by Ms Madala Ndlovu, CEO of the Evander Hospital, who assured her that they will do all they can to have her second vaccine administered.
A mobile clinic would have been sent to Ms Fourie’s home in Barberton on Friday, October 8.
At the time of going to press it was not known if Ms Fourie had received her second jab.
Several more complaints have since been received from patients who had the exact same problem when needing their second vaccine administered.
Coincidently all patients had their first Pfizer vaccine administered at the Evander Hospital on July 2.
All of them had also received an SMS stating they had received their second of the two doses on September 17, with proof of vaccination code.
Ms Elsa Prinsloo took her mother, Ms Petronella Terry, to the Evander Hospital on July 2.
“We originally wanted to go to Medicinic Highveld for my mother’s second dose as it is closer for us,” said Ms Prinsloo.
“The hospital refused to help because it showed on the system my mother had already received her second vaccine. We had explained that this is impossible,” said Ms Prinsloo.
She said it was a struggle to get through to Evander Hospital telephonically.
“Every time we got through it was frustrating having to explain the situation over and over again. The hospital was insistent that I bring my mother back to Evander but I had to keep explaining that because of transport this was not possible.”
After arranging with her brother for a vehicle, Ms Prinsloo and Ms Terry went to the Evander Hospital and finally had the second vaccine administered.
For Ms Prinsloo what is mind-boggling is the fact that every vaccination has a number, however, the code on the SMS and the vaccine administered are two different things.
She said staff at the Evander Hospital thought it was a big joke when she said this matter was going to go to the newspaper and even more further.
“The first time we went for our first vaccine, everyone at the hospital was professional and very friendly. There were absolutely no problems. However, our second experience was not good at all,” said Ms Prinsloo.
She is now questioning the stats.
“I do not believe the stats of the number of people who have been vaccinated if this is what happened to me. I am also very concerned and not satisfied with the same vaccine number that was sent on the SMS on September 17 when she only received her vaccine on September 23.
“What is also concerning is that I was told that if we do not claim our second vaccine within 90 days the system is
cleared. I don’t know what is meant by this as it was never explained,” said Ms Prinsloo.
Ms Sophie Hugo and her husband also had the same issue with their second vaccine.
They too had their first dose administered on July 2 at the Evander Hospital.
She said both herself and her husband had contracted the Covid-19 virus after having their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine administered and had to wait before going for their second dose.
“My husband and I made an appointment at Clicks. We were taken in and had our second vaccine. When went to the person who registers it on the system, we were told we had already received the second one.
“We were told that the system shows we received our second dose at Evander Hospital,” said Ms Hugo.
They also received an SMS saying they received their second vaccine.
Ms Hugo replied to the message and said that she has not had her second vaccine.
Ms Hugo said they were lucky to have their second dose administered before it was detected on the system, or else they would have been in the same position as Ms Fourie.
The Ridge Times has since made contact with the CEO of Evander Hospital.
Ms Ndlovu said: “The hospital has a well-organised complaint management system mended by our quality assurance manager in place.
“My office and the hospital executive plus the board members and the clinic committees are always available to serve our communities.
“We humbly request that all those having challenges with the EVDS system should visit our vaccination sites and if not happy, they can contact the hospital management.
“The numbers are displayed on all notice boards within the facilities,” said Ms Ndhlovu.
