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Department of Health embarks on vaccination drive targeting undocumented people in Durban

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The Department of Health in collaboration with the Denis Hurley Centre has embarked on a vaccination drive of undocumented persons in Durban. This includes homeless people, South Africans without identity documents, and undocumented foreign nationals.

Rain and cold weather did not stop foreign nationals and homeless people from going to the Denis Hurley Centre in the Durban CBD to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Rose Tshakunduka, 30-years-old, arrived in the country from Zimbabwe nine years ago. She says some of her colleagues have been infected with COVID-19.

“I had to come and vaccinate because most of the people in my working area and in my environment have been vaccinated and also it is for me to prepare myself for the next coming wave, maybe I might get sick. I just have to protect myself.”

Most of those who were vaccinated say the process was efficient.

“I don’t want to be infected with COVID-19. I’m encouraging other people to also come and get vaccinated. I have relatives that got infected, some passed on while some had to be hospitalised.”

Undocumented people welcome the Department of Health’s initiative to get them vaccinated: 

The Manager of the Centre, Jean-Marie Ntamumbano, says they are encouraged by the number of refugees and homeless people who are coming to get vaccinated. He says reaching the undocumented citizens was not difficult.

“Looking at the number of refugees, the foreign nationals, and the homeless that got vaccinated yesterday, it is very encouraging and very moving to see refugees are keen on coming in and getting vaccinated. Well, because our centre renders very important services to the refugees and the homeless, they come here, we assist them with food and whatever services they may need and medication and so forth.

So, when we meet them here, we encourage them to come and get vaccinated and they come on board. Besides that, we have refugee platforms which we use and encourage them to come along.”

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