By Staff Reporter
Following last week’s successful start to the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out programme in the Northern Cape, Provincial Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene, urged more health care workers to register on the government’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) portal and be prioritised during phase one of the roll-out.
The announcement comes after more than 1452 health care workers from the private and public health sector received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital. MEC Lekwene was amongst the recipients.
According to research evidence from clinical trials, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine provides 57% protection against moderate-severe disease, 85% protection against severe disease.
The Northern Cape Province received 3 902 vaccine doses from the 80 000 Johnson and Johnson vaccine that arrived in South Africa last week.
MEC Lekwene has noted reports of a few people experiencing headaches, muscle pains, or chills after being vaccinated. He assures everyone that this is normal.
“It means the body’s immune system is reacting to the vaccine that is new in the body. This is what people need and it is evidence the vaccine is working,” reiterated the MEC.
“My personal vaccination experience has been nothing but great fulfillment. I have not suffered any mild or severe symptoms since taking the jab. It was important for me to lead by example and inoculate publicly to ensure that more of our front line staff are encouraged to vaccinate.” added Lekwene.
Concerning the provincial epidemiology overview, the total cumulative number of COVID-19 cases currently stands at 33 636, with 30 199 people recovered. So far, 663 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 complications. This leaves the Province with 2 772 active cases and a 90% recovery rate.
The MEC has urged community members to continue implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions to help protect others until community immunity is achieved.
“In the future, when we reach community immunity, we won’t need to wear masks. But for now, we all need to keep wearing masks, even if you’ve already been vaccinated and are protected, wearing a mask protects others,” concluded the MEC.
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