POLOKWANE – Acting Operations Manager in the Covid-19 Unit at the Mankweng Hospital, Granny Letoka was the first healthcare worker to be vaccinated in the province.
Limpopo received a total of 7 163 Johnson & Johnson vaccinations for healthcare workers as part of phase one of the Provincial Vaccine Rollout Strategy.
Letoka received her jab on Friday, 19 February at the Mankweng Hospital where the Premier, Chupu Mathabatha officiated the landmark event.
According to Letoka, working in a Covid-19 Unit has not been easy and receiving the vaccination means being able to fulfill her duties more effectively.
“Sometimes I would find myself working alone in the unit. The pandemic has affected us so much so that we were working in fear and had to rely on each other for support.”
She has admitted to having anxiety over taking the vaccine, which can be attributed to misconceptions and worrying over what would happen should it not be attained in time for the predicted third wave.
“What society believes and acts on also affects us because we still need to go out and be on the forefront of the pandemic. Being in a managerial position also means that I need to give my colleagues courage and I believe I have done that by being vaccinated.”
Letoka said she felt honoured to have shared a vial with Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who was also vaccinated on the day. She urged people to come forward and take the vaccine, saying it is important to achieve herd immunity.
“We have been taking vaccines for years now, even as babies, before we understood what they were for. Despite the word on the street, the vaccine is not meant to kill anyone, it is here to help in fighting this pandemic.”
Letoka is more confident in carrying out her duties but has encouraged other healthcare workers to not slack off on wearing face masks, hand sanitising and maintaining social distancing.
