Covid-19 vaccine

Vials of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Image: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Covid-19 Vaccination Latest: Thousands jabbed at St Augustines hospital

Thousands of health care workers got their Covid-19 vaccine at the hospital, although many waited all day in long queues.

Covid-19 vaccine

Vials of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Image: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital is currently vaccinating many eligible healthcare workers who have registered to receive their COVID-19 vaccination at the site in Durban.

Netcare Hospitals managing director, Jacques du Plessis, confirmed that Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital had been set up to receive the high number of healthcare workers. 

Du PLessis said that on Monday a total of 1 839 people had been vaccinated, and by lunchtime on Tuesday a further 1 640 healthcare workers had received their Covid-19 vaccination.

According to Anju Maharaj, nursing services manager at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, the facility was managing to process the high number of health care worksers who had arrived for their Covid-19 vaccinations. She said a total of 28 vaccinators were on hand assisting the recipients.

“There is no shortage of healthcare workers wishing to be vaccinated at this time and we are working efficiently and carefully, doing our utmost to ensure the safety of everyone at the site. The challenge we are facing is that many people are arriving to be vaccinated without vouchers,” she said.

The Sisonke Programme is a collaboration between the National Department of Health, South African Medical Research Council, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, CAPRISA, Janssen and Johnson & Johnson.

“The verification and registration process can be time consuming, particularly with so many individuals arriving without being registered. It is therefore all the more important that the process is properly followed. Only those who arrive with their correct vouchers will be able to receive a vaccine, as has always been the case,” Maharaj said.

“We are certainly well placed to assist the thousands of healthcare workers coming through our vaccination site at this time, however it is essential that those who arrive are eligible, have registered and have the correct vouchers with them in order to receive their vaccines,” Maharaj said. 

Dr Nigel Garrett, National Co-PI Sisonke Study & Head of  Vaccines and Pathogenesis Research at CAPRISA said that staff at the hospital were assisting “walk-in” recipients to register and obtain their vouchers in order to receive their Covid-19 vaccination.

“Due to limited vaccine availability, vaccination sites have been working on a booking appointment to serve both private, public and out of hospital HCWs. As planned, in the final week we were able to offer vaccinations to additional HCWs due to an additional supply for KZN,” he said.

“We could therefore offer a limited walk-in service. HCWs are welcome to attend provided that they have entered their information and have an official letter from their place of employment confirming their employment as a health care worker.  Staff at the site are assisting those who do not have vouchers to obtain one, as no-one can be vaccinated without a voucher,” he said.