Elderly residents at an Old Age Home in Mahikeng in North West are waiting with bated breath for the highly anticipated vaccinations of people over 60 years of age.
Phase 2 of the national coronavirus vaccination programme got underway on Monday morning.
North West sites at Moses Kotane, Rustenburg, Brits, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp start today.
Vaccination in Mahikeng and four other areas is expected to commence tomorrow.
The Department of Health says close to 60 000 people over the age of 60 have registered for vaccinations across the province.
Gretchen Smith, a resident at the Rotarus Old Age Home in Mahikeng, says they are waiting in anticipation.
“We waited a long time for this. With the numbers increasing day by day and the situation in India, I am very concerned. So I am not negative at all and to all those negative people I want to say that god has given those people the knowledge.”
Elize Botha, manager at the Rotarus Old Age Home, says general staff members have been left out for now.
“We just feel that the health of the residents and staff working here is of paramount importance because we are working closely together. So, it’s really important that all the staff that is working here, I mean the people who are arranging the food doing the dishes, helping to make the beds…to be vaccinated.
Provincial COVID-19 stats
As at 16 May, the the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the North West is 71053.
64489 people have recovered, which translate into 90.8% recovery rate and 1798 deaths.
The province has 4766 active cases, of which 296 cases were identified in the last 24 hours, as seen i the tweets below:
#NorthWestCOVID19| The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the North West province is 71053 with 64489 recoveries which translate into 90.8% recovery rate and 1798 deaths. The province now has 4766 active cases, of which 296 cases were identified in the last 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/F87KAUsVR0
— North West Health (@NorthWestDOH) May 17, 2021
Phase 2 vaccine rollout
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says Phase 2 of the country’s vaccine rollout aims to inoculate 5 million citizens aged over 60 by the end of June.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhize said more than 325 000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine would arrive at midnight on Sunday, bringing the total of Pfizer doses up to 975 780.
So far, South Africa has ordered enough COVID-19 vaccines for 46 million of its 60 million population.
In the video below, Mkhize outlines SA’s Phase 2 vaccine rollout:
