Some farm workers in Groblersdal in Limpopo say they were initially scared of getting the COVID-19 vaccine after hearing rumours of some people dying after being vaccinated.
They engaged with Premier Stan Mathabatha and Health MEC Doctor Phophi Ramathuba, during the vaccination for farming communities at Schoonbee Landgoed farm in Groblersdal yesterday.
The workers say they were convinced that the vaccines were important after Mathabatha and Ramathuba explained the benefits.
“It is only rumours which are being spread by people who are ignorant. If you go back seventy-something people were vaccinated, they never die from that time of being vaccinated. It is a good thing, we stay in good health. I’m excited you know before I was scared but now free, they told me I’m going to die if I vaccinate but for now, I’m ok,” says some farm workers.
Mathabatha says they are reaching out to communities to ensure that they get vaccinated .
“Our strategy is that of mass mobilization. Mass mobilization you can only do it if you identify key factors, key components of your strategy. You must [use] those people who will be followed by many people, you target them and you convince them to be part of your task team, be part of the team of activists who will be running around and mobilize people around and dispel all the misleading [information] that we are hearing all the time.”
Latest COVID-19 numbers
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has reported 13 652 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 2 511 178.
The Western Cape has now recorded 4 128 new coronavirus cases followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 2 673 and Gauteng with 2 534 new cases.
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Meanwhile, newly-appointed Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says more COVID-19 vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the country. He says he’s pleased that government has been able to vaccinate over 8.3 million people so far.
Phaahla says they are vaccinating around 200 000 people per day. With the help of private pharmacies, the government is working towards administering a million shots every three days.
Phaahla was giving an update on the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday morning.
“We are rolling out more and more sites including small towns and rural areas. Also on small pharmacists. It’s not only the big ones, your Clicks and Dischems but the independent pharmacists. We appreciate them,” says Phaahla.
