By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
More than two hundred senior citizens of the Buffalo City Metro have heeded the government’s call for elderly people to take the jab as they came in numbers to take their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Bhisho hospital yesterday.
On Monday, the government officially launched phase 2 of its vaccination programme which consists of senior citizens who are 60 years and those living with comorbidities.
Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Xola Pakati was one of the people who took the jab at Bhisho hospital yesterday. Speaking after taking the vaccination Pakati has encouraged elderly people eligible to take the jab to register for the vaccine.
“I am here to vaccinate and would like to encourage Buffalo City residents to register for the vaccine. That will assist us in reducing the number of infections. I plead with all the eligible candidates to register at all health facilities. There are facilities throughout the Metro prepared by the department of health for this particular service,” said Xola Pakati.
As part of ensuring that elderly people are registered for the vaccination, Pakati has urged young people to assist the senior citizens of the metro to register.
“It’s important that we encourage the elderly to register for vaccination so I urge young people to register their parents and grandparents,” he said.
He further encouraged Buffalo City residents to continue observing COVID-19 protocols whilst undergoing the vaccination rollout program.
“I am also pleased that the third wave hasn’t arrived in the City but that doesn’t mean we should wait for it and practise careless behaviour,” said Pakathi.
The CEO of the Bhisho Hospital Phumla Mnyanda said to give the vaccine to people who come to the hospital without being registered for the jab is a challenge to them.
“Our challenge is that we have elderly people who are not registered but they are here for the vaccine. We don’t turn them back home but we assist them to register and after they receive an SMS confirming their registration, we give them the job,” she said.
One of Tyutyu village residents who took the jab at Bhisho Hospital yesterday Zolani Tshaka said he is happy that he took the vaccine.
“I have just taken the jab and I am very happy about that. Now my immune system is ready to fight the third wave of COVID-19. I fear nothing and I am feeling stronger than before,” he said.