There was an air of excitement and anxiousness in the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal as hundreds of seniors, aged over 60, flocked to designated Phase 2 vaccination sites, like Amanzimtoti Civic Centre and Prince Mshiyeni Hospital, to receive their initial jab of the Pfizer vaccine which began national roll out on 18 May.
“I registered online in February and received my SMS shortly thereafter. As I passed the civic centre and saw the cues I knew it was time I joined the line myself,” said Wendy Allen, a 67-year-old retired doctors’ accountant. Although the national Department of Health has implemented an Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) for online registration, many seniors said they required assistance from family and friends to use smartphone technology despite being able to register at a facility using their ID book, albeit a ‘first come first serve’ yield. “My son registered me and I had my vaccine yesterday, today I’ve brought my sister to get hers,” said 75-year-old Isipingo resident Mona Moodley. An excited Radha Naidoo, echoed her 77-year-old sister. “We’ve told everyone in our social circle to do the same, which they have, as this is a must. We’re relieved but still cautious,” she said. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, data used from the EVDS will help evaluate target areas needing more vaccines as well as goals of five million senior inoculations by June. “This is a South African first, as a major public health campaign will be supported by one digital system for all South Africans.”
However, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called out the Health Department for issues of false promises as only 480 000 healthcare workers of the 1.18 million in South Africa had been vaccinated since February. They said in addition to loadshedding, rural accessibility, awareness of vaccines, misinformation and short-staffed healthcare units the Phase 2 process would similarly be plagued by logistical issues.
However, Lindi Dube, Senior Primary Health Manager of the South Cluster, disagrees. “We have 30 healthcare workers, including nurses, environmental health assessors, doctors, pharmacists and administrators, from various clinics across the South Coast assisting with vaccinations. We initially started with 150 doses on launch day and ordered more the following day to assist as many seniors as possible. Today we’re expecting 500 vaccines but I’m sure we will need even more come Monday,” she said. Dube noted the challenges in the volume of seniors at the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre, as many opted to use the facility instead of sites closer to home. “People not residing in our catchment have opted to come here, hoping to beat the lines and more popular sites like Moses Mabida Stadium and Pinetown Civic Centre. Although we’ve also had some network issues, given the EVDS platform, I can say it’s been smooth sailing so far and bookings are immediately made for the second dose, in 21 days’ time, of this vaccine.”
Dube encourages seniors to register online with the aid of family or friends and assures them that they will not be turned away if their SMS registration says they should report to a different facility. For couple Alice Glenister, 84, and Eric Glenister, 87, the three-hour wait could not be more welcomed. “It’s for your own health and everybody else’s too. They don’t do this for nothing and we’re doing our part by being responsible and getting vaccinated.” The Amanzimtoti Civic Centre is open from Monday to Thursday between 8am to 3pm for vaccinations and welcomes residents of the South Coast and Basin to be responsible. To register online visit health.gov.za and follow the steps until you receive an SMS notification of registration. Applicants can also register via WhatsApp by sending “REGISTER” to 060-012-3456 or by dialling *134*832# via the zero-rated USSD system. Further details, including confirmation of the registration, dates, and available sites, will be sent via SMS to the applicant.
