POLOKWANE – The rollout of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in Limpopo was officiated by Limpopo Premier, Chupu Stan Mathabatha, together with Health Mec Dr Phophi Ramathuba at the Mankweng Hospital earlier today.
Ramathuba as well as 50+ frontline workers were among the first to take the shot as part of Phase 3B Sisonke research implementation study of the Johnson & Johnson Covid -19 vaccine.
*Video taken by Jimmy Malebati from the Office of the Premier
Staff at the hospital were among the first group of healthcare workers to receive the vaccine, thereafter the premier and MEC will go to Pietersburg Provincial Hospital to continue the rollout to healthcare workers in the city.
“This is a historical moment for all of us as we start with the vaccines inoculation program. We are thrilled to see our health care workers becoming the first to be vaccinated. They were all working to get their patients well and with no regards for their own health. We are so grateful for each and everyone of these frontliners who go out of their way to care for patients” said Mathabatha.
The vaccine roll out in the province comes days after the first consignment of 80 000 shots of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrived at OR Tambo International Airport and will continue throughout the week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Wednesday, joined the first group of healthcare workers in Cape Town to be vaccinated for Covid-19 and at the time told The Citizen that the jab was quick and painless.
“I must say that at first, I was a bit terrified of this long needle that was going to be embedded into my arm, but it happened so quickly and easily. It was just a prick on my flesh and I really did not feel much pain.”
Read more: WATCH: ‘I really did not feel much pain’ – Squirmy Ramaphosa gets vaccinated for Covid-19
Read the full story in next week’s Review.
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