POLOKWANE – “We are not out of the woods yet and we urge residents to get their Covid-19 booster shots,” says Health MEC spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha.
Muavha says it is important to get your booster shot as the shot increases the recipient’s immunity against Covid-19.
“As advised by medical experts, the department will allow all those who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to visit any public institution for a booster shot of the vaccine. Those who already had their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine need to get a third dose. It is advised that people get their Johnson & Johnson booster shot at least two months after their jab and the third Pfizer shot at least six months after their second.”
Muavha says the role of vaccinations is to assist with building up immunity against the virus. He explains that the decision to open up booster shots to the public, was motivated by medical experts who found that the vaccines start to lose their efficacy after about six months.
Muavha says if there will be a need to vaccinate every six months, that information will be shared with the public in due course.
According to Muavha, Limpopo recorded over 1 000 Covid-19 cases a day during the peak of the fourth wave of infections.
“We did not feel the effects of the fourth wave as much as the other waves and that can be attributed to the vaccination rollout plan. Most people infected in this period only showed mild symptoms that did not warrant hospital admission and those who were hospitalised were either not vaccinated or had underlying medical issues. We are still not out of the woods and people should continue to adhere to all the preventative measures,” he explains.
Muavha emphasises that even if people are vaccinated, they should still adhere to the measures as to not spread the virus and put the lives of people, who opted not to get vaccinated, at risk.
