KwaZulu-Natal health authorities have teamed up with soccer legends in a bid to intensify the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Newcastle, in the northern part of the province.
Provincial MEC, Nomagugu Simelane says they are concerned about the continued vaccination hesitancy in the province.
Working alongside the MEC, the retired soccer players will conduct door-to-door visits, interact with people, and urge them to get vaccinated.
Video: KZN Health Department approaches football stars to encourage COVID-19 vaccine uptake
Former player, Brilliant Khuzwayo says it is important to vaccinate.
“When we were young, we used to vaccinate to prevent infections. It’s important to understand that vaccine is vital,” says Khuzwayo.
Khuzwayo says they want people to be able to go back to stadiums.
“There are too many myths that have been circulated about vaccine, its very important to take correct information from the department of health. There is no one who want to kill people. we are all trying to save lives . We want people to go back to stadiums and offer support to their teams. Fans are the most crucial people in the stadium,”says Khuzwayo.
On Saturday the Department of Health said around 80 000 Pfizer vaccine doses are to be disposed of at the end of March, once they reach their expiration dates.
The Department has raised concerns that COVID-19 vaccines are being wasted due to the low number of people presenting for vaccinations.
The Department’s Acting Director-General, Dr Nicholas Crisp, was speaking during a media briefing.
“We will lose somewhere around 80 000 doses. Every dose is a lost opportunity. Remember this is 80 000 out of 33-million. So we are not talking vast amounts, but every dose is a lost opportunity to protect somebody from this, so we are not happy,” says Crisp.
