Executive Director one of the first members of staff to get the COVID-19 vaccination

Executive Director gets his jab, encourages others to do the same

As soon as the registration for the COVID-19 vaccination was open to the age group 50-59, Outreach Foundation’s Executive Director, Robert Michel, registered to get his jab.

“I was waiting patiently for this time to come and jumped at the chance to register,” he said. “The process was easy, and within hours I had my appointment for the next day.

“I was a little unsure how busy it would be and how it would actually go, but I was pleasantly surprised. The venue was very well organised. I arrived an hour before my appointment, as advised via WhatsApp, and went through the process of having my temperature taken and answering a few questions.  And then, I was ushered to my spot where the person was waiting to give me the injection.

“It happened really quickly and painlessly, and I was then told to go outside and wait for 15 minutes before leaving. I left the venue with my inoculation card feeling great. I continued to feel good for the rest of the day, with the only sign that I had the injection coming from a tender and sore arm which was gone by the next day.”

Robert has encouraged all his staff members to get their vaccinations too as soon as their age group comes up.

“It was a really easy process, and it is safe and effective. It helps to build protection against the COVID-19 virus. It does NOT contain the live virus and therefore cannot make you sick with COVID-19. And it helps save lives. I can’t wait to get my second injection to have a stronger immune response to the virus.

“Please register to get your vaccination as the more of us that have the injection, the better it will be for our country and the more lives we can help save,” said Robert

On the GCIS website, www.gcis.gov.za, a guideline regarding vaccinations is given. The process followed before a vaccine is given to the public is explained as well as answers to several other questions around the vaccine.

One such answer is that relating to whether the vaccine is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and was answered as follows:

“There is overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccination is the best defence against serious infections. Vaccines do not give you the virus, rather it teaches your immune system to recognise and fight the infection. The COVID-19 vaccine presents the body with instructions to build immunity and does not alter human cells. Vaccines have reduced the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases such as smallpox, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, measles, tetanus, whooping cough and pneumococcal conjugate across the world. Vaccinating enough people would help create herd immunity and stamp out the disease.”

Click The Impact of Vaccines to view some infographics on the impact of vaccines.

There is plenty of information on the virus on the internet,  but do go to https://sacoronavirus.co.za. It’s a great site with a lot of information and resources that are verified and relates to the virus in our country.

On www.gov.za, the following answer was given to the question as to whether vaccinations are important, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and which we think is a really good reason as to why you should register for the COVID-19 one and why other vaccines are important:

“Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent disease and save lives. When we get vaccinated, we do not just protect ourselves but also those around us. Some people, like those who are seriously ill, are advised not to get certain vaccines – so they depend on the rest of us to get vaccinated and help reduce the spread of disease.”

Keep an eye on the news to hear when your age group is up for registration and then head to the EVDS self-registration app to register; the link is HTTPS://VACCINE.ENROLL.HEALTH.GOV.ZA. One can walk into a vaccination site, but only if it applies to the age groups that have been opened up for the injection, and it is up to the vaccine site manager to decide if they will be able to accept walk-in vaccines on that day. Other rules apply, such as those with scheduled appointments get to go before you, and you will still have to register on the EVDS once there. You are also not guaranteed to get a vaccine on the day you walk in.

Having said that, the elderly who have not yet had their vaccinations are encouraged to go to vaccination sites and get their vaccinations as they are at great risk with the COVID-19 virus.

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