Gauteng Health calls for calm following complaints of long queues at vaccination sites
Videos have circulated featuring healthcare workers standing in a long queue from the bottom of the parking lot at Netcare Milpark Hospital to the vaccination site.
Healthcare workers have expressed their frustration after waiting in long queues to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at Netcare Milpark Hospital this week.
Videos have circulated featuring healthcare workers standing in a long queue from the bottom of the parking lot to the vaccination site.
View one of the videos here.
Netcare Hospitals, Netcare St Augustine’s
Hospital and Netcare Milpark Hospital continue to vaccinate only eligible healthcare workers who
have registered to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations and who have been pre-booked for
vaccination. https://t.co/UxrOYKToZ8 pic.twitter.com/SUvZBVvriv— Netcare Limited (@Netcare_Limited) May 13, 2021
A member of the public said that the walk from top to bottom was six and a half minutes, while others complained on social media that they had to wait six hours in order to receive the vaccine.
So this is the wonderfully organised Health Ministry administering vaccines this morning in Milpark ,Jhb.Sure they organise the NHI!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/lJ2zsryr5K
— Rose Bay (@rosebay166) May 14, 2021
Spokesperson for the Gauteng MEC for Health Kwara Kekana said, “The Gauteng Department of Health has noted the overwhelming demand for vaccines at various vaccination sites by healthcare workers and would like to appeal for calm.”
Kekana said that healthcare workers who have not been vaccinated at the end of the Sisonke programme will get the opportunity to receive the vaccine under the Phase1b vaccine rollout commencing next week.
https://twitter.com/KatSekhotho/status/1393125437245730819
“The currently available vaccine stock under the Sisonke early access programme is only sufficient to accommodate people who have already been issued with vouchers and appointments.”
She said that the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is currently working closely with the government to ensure the smooth handover with the Sisonke programme coming to an end this week.
“All vaccination sites currently being used for the Sisonke study programme will only be able to assist health personnel who are in possession of a voucher and an appointment,” said Kekana.
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