Benoni Town is one of the official vaccination sites for Benoni and on May 27, Life The Glynwood Hospital administered the first set of vaccines to residents older than 60 years and healthcare workers who were unable to obtain their vaccines under phase 1A of the roll-out.
The City Times spokes to Bonnie Whiffler, marketing communications officer of the hospital, to understand the process and roll-out of the vaccines.
Who qualifies for the vaccine at the moment?
The EVDS system issues an SMS to those who qualify in the above two categories (healthcare worker and over 60 years), providing appointment dates and times, a voucher code and the vaccination site via SMS.
Life The Glynnwood cannot select which people receive the appointments. This is strictly governed by the EVDS system managed by the government.
The site does not accommodate any walk-ins, so those coming for their vaccinations must have their vaccination code received via SMS.
How many people will be vaccinated daily?
Currently, Life The Glynnwood expects to vaccinate 180 people per day. This number may vary going forward.
Do healthcare workers register for the vaccine on the website like the general public?
Yes, everyone who is to be vaccinated must be registered on the EVDS vaccination site. Healthcare workers who are being vaccinated are those who have already registered on the EVDS website, in line with the Phase One registrations.
Over how many days will the vaccination take place?
The Life The Glynnwood vaccination site at the Benoni Town Hall will be open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm.
How does the vaccination process work?
Careful consideration has been given to manage the flow of people and to provide a seamless experience for the community at each stage of the vaccination journey. The entrance to the vaccination site is on Park Street.
Only those who have appointments for the respective day and time will be permitted onto the Benoni Town Hall property.
The community is then screened before entering the building. Once inside, there is an administrative process that confirms the medical aid details.
The hospital has procured the vaccines from the government and is permitted to submit claims to medical aid for medical aid members of the government for state patients.
It is important to note that these costs will not be dedicated from the benefits apportioned to medical aid members.
The next step is the vaccination administration process, which captures the vaccination details on the EVDS system.
From there, the vaccines are then administered. People are asked to proceed to the post-vaccination area where they are required to wait for a minimum of 15 minutes. This is to monitor for any possible adverse reactions to the vaccine.
As a precautionary measure, a paramedic is on-site to assist anyone who may experience a reaction to the vaccine.
This vaccination site is strictly by appointment only. Any persons who have not received their vaccination code (as released by the EVDS site) will, regrettably, not be assisted.
Please also ensure you go to the vaccination site as indicated on your voucher.
Is there a specific dress code?
Short sleeve shirts are advisable as the vaccine is administered to the upper arm. Please bring additional warm clothing, which can be removed during the vaccination.
Which vaccine is being used? And how do the dosages work?
The vaccine is Comirnaty, manufactured by Pfizer.
Two doses need to be administered, on day one, and a booster jab is required on day 21.
A follow-up appointment for the second jab will be made on day one with the first jab.
What are the possible side effects of this vaccine?
Every individual reacts differently to vaccines; however, the most common symptoms include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, dizziness and muscle pain.
Joint pain, fever, nausea and chills are known to be side effects among older adults.
The Daveyton Main Community Healthcare Centre had also been identified as a vaccination site; their operating hours are from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3pm.
If you have experienced any serious reactions after leaving the vaccination site, seek medical advice at your nearest emergency unit or from your local healthcare professional.
Report adverse events to the Adverse Events Following Immunisation system at AEFI@health.gov.za or call 071 302 8949.
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