Two renowned Southerners share their vaccination stories
Own your life. Get vaccinated.
We chatted with two women who have been on a quest to change lives. They are now also on a mission to save lives amid the Covid-19 pandemic and share their stories about why they got vaccinated.
Catherine Constantinides is by her own account a nation builder, earth warrior, social cohesion and human rights activist.
At the peak of the first wave in July 2020, she tested positive for Covid-19 and in the weeks and months that followed she fought through every day the many symptoms and the agony of what is termed as long Covid.
“As a healthy, relatively fit and strong young person, I could never have imagined the intensity and struggle that would be my Covid story. Having lived through it, seeing many others fight for their lives and many losing the battle against this virus, it was my responsibility and collective community’s obligation to be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine was available to me.
“I am proud to have been vaccinated and to have played my part; however, this is about collective action and responsibility to ourselves, our loved ones and those around us daily.
“I implore those who are sitting on the fence and those that are anti-vaxxers, please go get vaccinated. Please trust that we live in a world where science and technology are so advanced, and the truth is that the Covid-19 virus is part of a group of viruses that scientists have been aware of and worked towards a vaccine for over a prolonged period.
“The reality is that vaccines save lives. It doesn’t mean you won’t get infected, it means you have a better chance of survival if you do!
“Let us be responsible and make this our greatest act of citizenship.”
For Miss SA 2019 Sasha-Lee Olivier, the decision to get vaccinated was not an easy one, mainly due to misinformation.
‘Today (October 13) marks the fifth day since I’ve been fully vaccinated. It hasn’t been an easy wait as we were the last cohort to be administered the vaccine.
“Waiting was also riddled with uncertainty, dealing with the loss of friends and the question of whether or not I’d make it out if I were to contract Covid-19.
“The decision to vaccinate or not wasn’t easy either, especially with so many on the fence and all the questions about whether or not it was safe.
“However, I found comfort in the advice of Dr Chanell Marthinussen. She assured me that the risk of not getting vaccinated would supersede that of getting the vaccine.
“In an era of fake news, it’s our responsibility to make an informed decision and get sound medical advice from a trusted doctor to make an informed decision and get vaccinated.”
