KZN Health Department launches vaccine influencers roadshow
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said it is time for residents to buckle up and strictly apply all the non-pharmaceutical interventions.
WITH the aim of boosting vaccination numbers, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu and MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu, launched the Influencers Roadshow at Moses Mabhida People’s Park on Tuesday.
The health department will be visiting various vaccination sites in the different districts. During these visits, they will be inspecting their operations while influencers encourage the public to get vaccinated in preparation for the vaccination of teachers.
Simelane-Zulu said, “We have on board everyone from district champion MECs and HoD’s under the Operation Sukuma Sakhe model; to amakhosi, mayors, celebrities and entertainers, the business community; as well as the religious, traditional leadership, traditional health practitioners, and people from other influential sectors of society. We have agreed that they will use every platform available to them to champion the benefits of the vaccination from social and traditional media, to meetings, and every stage that they have access to. We are confident that this approach will be effective.”
ALSO READ: More than 110 000 vaccines allocated to educators
She said, for Phase 2 of the vaccination programme, which started on 17 May, they have established 171 vaccination sites across the province.
“We have since vaccinated 78% of the healthcare workers in the public sector; as well as 72% of the healthcare workers who work in private hospitals. This amounts to 124 091 health workers who have been vaccinated, while we are left with just 38 051 to vaccinate,” said Simelane-Zulu.
She added that when it comes to senior citizens aged 60 and above, they have vaccinated 254 097, and they are inching closer to achieving their target of 955 048 senior citizens by the end of Phase 2.
“Therefore, there is evidence all around us that now is not the time to be casual. Instead, it is the time for us to buckle up, and strictly apply all the non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as the correct wearing of masks, regular washing of hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, and maintaining social distancing. This should apply even to people who’ve been vaccinated,” she said.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple
