A total of 1 086 Rand Aid residents received their first Covid-19 vaccine following the roll-out of the vaccination process.
Rand Aid was one of the first two retirement organisations in the area to receive its supply of Covid-19 vaccines from the Department of Health.
Rand Aid’s roll-out of phase two of the vaccination programme started on May 17 at Ron Smith Care Centre and Elphin Lodge Retirement Village, where 144 residents were vaccinated on the day despite a delayed delivery of vaccines.
The same day, the organisation was visited by dignitaries who included Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, representatives from the Gauteng Premier’s office and representatives from the Department of Health.
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Gloria Serobe, the chairperson of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Solidarity Fund, also visited Rand Aid for her vaccination.
The following day, a further 150 residents from Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge and Thornhill Manor were vaccinated.
The remaining Thornhill Manor’s 280 residents were vaccinated within two days.
On May 21, 228 Rand Aid’s Tarentaal residents received their vaccines, followed by 138 residents from Tarentaal and Inyoni Creek on May 22.
“To date, 1 086 Rand Aid residents have received their first Covid-19 vaccines,” said Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid’s GM of service and the advance division.
Included in the 1 086 residents is 100-year-old Elphin Lodge Retirement Village resident Maureen Waddington.
Maureen, who lives independently in the village with a part-time career, was happy and positive during the vaccination process and eager to receive her vaccination.
“Since the roll-out of vaccines, we were inundated with positive comments from a number of our residents, which we truly appreciate,” said Zabeth.
Several residents from the Rand Aid facilities gave praise to the organisation, commending it on its organisational skills, its response to the pandemic and rolling out the vaccines, as well as dealing with the concerns of the residents.
Thornhill Manor residents Janet and Bob Davies said: “We would just like to say a very big thank you to Rand Aid for the tremendous organisation involved with the administration of the Covid-19 vaccines.
“It was very efficient and well-run and congratulations for everyone’s hard work in bringing this difficult task so smoothly together.”
John and Jen Cruickshank from Thornhill Manor congratulated the entire Rand Aid team and all involved for a balanced and effective response to the pandemic.
“Everyone we have spoken to has been completely gobsmacked.
“We are aware just how challenging things like this can be in a people-centred organisation, yet Rand Aid has not only risen to the challenge but has also gone far beyond what would be expected and excelled yourselves.”
Robbie Vermont from Thornhill Manor described the vaccination process as being military precise and presided over by competent and capable people who showed a depth of concern and empathy, laced with a healthy dash of good humour.
“Ann and I were ‘processed’ on Wednesday and our fears of a long wait were unfounded.”
Liebe Meyer from Elphin Lodge said: “On May 18, the Covid-19 vaccine was given to me by Debbie Beech and I didn’t felt a thing.
“Every person involved, from the entrance to the exit, was so meticulous and friendly.”
Liebe said the atmosphere and friendliness were superb.
“The cupcakes we received at the exit were the cherry on the top.”
Elphin Lodge resident Vera Oosthuizen (87) wrote a poem, thanking Rand Aid’s employees for everything they have done for residents during Covid-19.
Her poem was posted on Rand Aid’s website for all to read.
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