Health Dept responds to vaccination site complaints by Limpopo healthcare workers

LIMPOPO – The Department of Health in Limpopo say their rollout plan for the Covid-19 vaccine is done district-by-district. 

The department responded to complaints by healthcare workers in the province, who had taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction over the vaccination sites the department announced today, saying that the sites are either far from where they are situated or that there is no vaccination site in their district.

Tshilidzini Hospital, Donald Fraser Hospital and Malamulele Hospital in the Vhembe district, MediClinic Polokwane and Netcare Pholosho in the Capricorn district, as well as St Rita’s Hospital in the Sekhukhune district were announced as vaccination sites. 

These sites are additional to Mankweng Hospital and Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.

The MEC for Health’s Spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, said the department is currently rolling out the vaccine in the Vhembe district. 

“This is how we planned the rollout and the logistics surrounding the plan, have influenced where it is done. The first batch of vaccinations is finished and the second batch will be used in Vhembe,” Muavha explained.

The sites in the Capricorn and Sekhukhune districts, that were also announced, were added because there is a high demand at these facilities.

“In due course all the districts will have vaccination sites. We will never expect someone from Modimolle to go to St Rita’s to get their jabs, for example,” Muavha added.

Responding to a complaint by a healthcare worker, who said she registered on 2 February but is yet to receive a voucher code, Muavha emphasised that the procedure is very straightforward. 

“You are issued with a voucher code as soon as you follow all the steps of the procedure and give consent. Some people are unable to log in on their own and require assistance from their hospitals to complete the procedure. If done correctly, you will receive your code and site where you should get vaccinated, immediately,” he explained.

Muavha added that the procedure is explained on the department’s Facebook page. 

“We take comments on our social media platforms seriously, however, people sometimes do not understand or have all the necessary information before they make a comment,” he concluded.

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