The City launched a mass vaccination campaign today, 19 October 2021, in an effort to support the national Covid-19 vaccine programme, which aims to vaccinate 40 million South Africans. Vaccination sites and other activities were set up at the Metro Centre public parking, outside of the piazza.
Surrounded by colours from the different gazebos, music playing in the background and other health check activities, there was an evident buzz as people were both nervous and excited to receive their jabs.
Residents who wanted to vaccinate were offered free transport in the form of the City’s Metro buses from every region since 9am. The City expected numbers for attendance to range between 500 and 1 000. People chose between the Johnson and Johnson or Pfizer vaccines.
Various City departments, entities and partners were also on site as well to assist employees and communities on various social concerns that they might be having difficulties with.
Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Moerane emphasised the importance of being a vaccinated citizen. “All spheres of government are hard at work to vaccinate about 40 million South Africans. All this in a bid to mitigate public health and the economic impact of the ongoing Covid-19.”
Mayor Moerane added that the City as the economic hub of South Africa is expected to contribute significantly to the country reaching its target and claiming herd immunity against the Covid-19 pandemic. This way some percentage of economic recovery could subsequently be achieved to revive our national economy and boost efforts in getting our local governments mandate of social economic development back on track.
“Already Johannesburg has forged ahead of other South African cities with over 1 million people already vaccinated. According to the latest numbers, although reported cases have significantly decreased and no new deaths have been recorded, we are not totally out of the woods.
“Let us be ambassadors and remember that vaccines save lives. It is for this reason that Johannesburg has taken vaccination where the people of the City are. To make the choice of vaccination easier, we have extended vaccination sites at civic centres, taxi ranks and shopping malls,” said Mayor Moerane.
Acting City Manager Floyd Brink, who was vaccinated today, commended the staff for a job well done. “It is safe to say that the City successfully launched the mass vaccination campaign. We will continue encouraging residents and employees to say #YesToVacciNation. Please keep your eyes and ears open. We are popping up at a site near you!”
Sister Granny Lethata, a professional nurse heading up the processes of the day, said: “We have successfully started administering the vaccines and we are extremely happy that the City of Johannesburg has launched this campaign. We need to do everything in our power to return our country to some form of normality.”
Coming for his first jab was Machak Khoze from Soweto, who said that he saw a lot of activity at the Metro Centre and decided to check it out. “As I walked past, I saw that it’s a vaccination site. I decided that everybody is doing it, so I might as well join the majority,” he said.
City of Johannesburg employee Beatrice Shilubane, while sitting in recovery after her first jab, said: “I have never had Covid-19 before and I do not wish to have it. It is important to keep myself and my family safe. I am happy that I decided to vaccinate, I feel fine.”
Another member of the public Martha Meas also came for her first jab and opted for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. “I wanted the one jab so that I can be fully vaccinated once off. We are grateful to the City for organising transport for today. If it weren’t for the Metro buses, I still would not be vaccinated because some of us do not have means to get to the sites.”
Written by Sacha-Lee Joseph
19/10/2021