With many South Africans waiting for their turn, we decided to ask some of our readers what their vaccination experience has been like, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 June 2021) – It’s been less than a month since the start of the second phase of the vaccine rollout in South Africa, and almost 1,5 million people have had their first jab.
The vaccination programme is a key intervention to mitigate the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase of the rollout was aimed at healthworkers, and the second phase opened up the ‘”largest vaccination drive in the country” to citizens over 60 years old.
With many South Africans waiting for their turn, we decided to ask some of our readers what their vaccination experience has been like, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Robyn Merlyn Begemann, a healthcare professional from Benoni, was incredibly excited about finally getting the vaccine. The healthcare workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic for over 450 days, and knowing that they now have the vaccine as another part of the defence brings new hope in fighting this virus.
“I’m a healthcare professional, and I was ridiculously excited (and privileged) to receive mine! The atmosphere at Milpark hospital was buzzing with excitement, and so many people were documenting our journey to friends, family and social media. Everything was clearly marked and spaced, and all volunteers were courteous and friendly,” she explained to Good Things Guy.
Lanie Swanepoel, another healthcare worker, says the process of getting vaccinated was extremely professional.
“I’m a Healthcare worker, registered a long time ago, but didn’t get an SMS. I walked in at the Stellenbosch vaccination site yesterday, explained my situation. I got a number to join the queue and got vaccinated just before 14:00. The process is professional, with friendly, helpful staff, and it wasn’t painful at all. I had no side effects. And will go back on 14 July for my 2nd shot,” Swanepoel shared.
Older adults are at greater risk of requiring hospitalization or even dying if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, and so many of our readers were very excited to share that their parents had received the vaccination.
“My parents, both in their eighties, had a very good experience at Karl Bremer last week. My dad is oxygen dependent, and they fast-tracked him in the queue, as well as my mom, who needs support to help her walk. They had no side effects from Pfizer at all. My husband had his vaccine Friday at Panorama Mediclinic – in and out very professional. No side effects either. All good!” – Karin Vermeulen Ferreira explained to Good Things Guy.
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“My parents had theirs in Ekurhuleni. They walked in, immediately helped by amazing staff. The greeter at the door was amazing, nurses were amazing (all trained by my Mom when she was the Matron at the local hospital). It was so easy and so good my father actually had his photo taken and shared it on his social media channels,” says Elsabe Booyens.
My mom had hers at a Pharmacy Direct warehouse last week and said it was beautifully organised, friendly, and professional. First Pfizer shot down, one to go, and no side-effects, so she’s very happy,” Cheryl Sierwierski explained.
Lisa Roberts from Cape Town just wanted to share her “vaccine selfie” all over social media to show her support for the vaccine program.
“The experience was awesome. Yes, the queue was long, but when you eventually sign in, and the staff cheerfully ask you, “Are you excited?” that’s all forgotten! I asked my vaccinator if she would mind me taking a vaccine selfie for my family, and she said: “Of course not, I did the same thing! Tell me when it’s in focus, so we make sure we capture it properly!”
Riaan Garforth-Venter, the broad-shouldered Mr Fix-It who became a household name in South Africa with his hit SABC2 TV show, Die Nutsman, and his wife Michelle, former Top Billing presenter, who now both live in the United States, say they are firm believers of the vaccine and received two shots each.
“We feel that countries like the USA should assist smaller countries, like SA, and give vaccines to them. This is a global situation, and we all need the vaccine,” they said.
“We think the COVID-19 vaccine will become like the annual flu shot – a must-have. It’s been a long time coming to get this shot.”
Good Things Guy has partnered with the Solidarity Fund to share valuable information about the vaccination program in South Africa.
Vaccinations are a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before contracting them. It uses your body’s natural defences to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger. Vaccines train your immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it’s exposed to a disease. However, because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or bacteria, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications.
We had over 70 readers share their positive vaccine experiences with us. If you would like to read more of the responses, click here or if you would like more information about the vaccines, click here.
Solidarity in Action
The Solidarity Fund was designed as a rapid response vehicle to mobilise South Africa against the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting health, humanitarian and social consequences. The incredible initiative is a nonprofit organization that is set up to support Mzansi with the South African spirit of ubuntu in these unprecedented times.
“This has always been the South African way. Now more than ever, we need to remember that we are a nation of people who overcome, who encourage and uplift each other and who can inspire new ways of being. We will overcome COVID-19 together and will be stronger as a nation,” says Wendy Tlou, The Solidarity Fund’s head of the Humanitarian Response and Behaviour Change Pillars.
For more information on the benefits and facts about the COVID-19 vaccine, please check out the Solidarity Fund by clicking here.
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