With the Sisonke Protocol vaccine programme back in full swing, the Eastern Cape Department of Health has called on people aged 60 and above to register for the lifesaving jab.
The country’s vaccination programme has been strengthened by the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine – which will mostly be administered in urban areas because it needs two doses.
The one does Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be mainly used in rural areas as it does not require people to be traced again and given the second dose.
While the vaccine was initially administered in Gqeberha, Mthatha and East London, it has been spread to other hospitals in the province as the Eastern Cape hopes to inoculate 4.5-million people in order to achieve herd immunity.

As of April 30, 37,157 people were vaccinated with 14,818 being inoculated in Nelson Mandela Bay, 12,813 in Buffalo City Metro and 9,526 in OR Tambo District.
But this number is expected to drastically increase as other regions have also started rolling out the vaccine
Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said it was important for people to register for phase two.
“Without them registering to be vaccinated means they will remain defenceless against this virus which has caused so much misery not only in our province and country, but around the world.
“This is why we want people who are 60 years and older to register so that they will get the vaccine. The vaccine is completely safe to use as President Cyril Ramaphosa, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, myself and hundreds of thousands of our healthcare workers have been inoculated.
“We want to encourage young people to help their parents and grandparents register to be vaccinated because right now, we will not be safe until we have all been vaccinated,” she said.
Acting Health Superintendent-General Dr Sibongile Zungu agreed.
“We need people to stop with their conspiracy theories and instead work with government in protecting our population and the only way to do that is to get vaccinated,” she said.
With a population of 6.7-million people, the Eastern Cape wants to inoculate 4.5-million in 705 wards across the province. This will be done in 1,882 vaccination sites, of which 1,064 will be healthcare facilities and 818 in schools and community halls and other offsite facilities.
The Department also will deploy 3,776 community health worker whose contracts were renewed to register potential vaccinnees on a door-to-door basis using their smart phones, but each will need a 1Gb of data on a monthly basis for nine months.
Until we achieve herd immunity, everyone should continue wearing masks whenever in public, practise social distance and practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and water at least for 20 seconds or with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
For more information, call Eastern Cape Department of Health Spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo on 083 378 0196.