27 July 2021

KWAZULU-Natal's ongoing vaccination programme has received a strong shot in the arm, following the vaccination of the Province's First Citizen, Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala.

The Premier, who got his jab at the Inkosi Mzondeni Hall, at KwaMsane in Mtubatuba earlier today, became one of 1, 186 562 people who have been vaccinated in the Province since the programme began in February 2021.

After getting vaccinated and going under observation for 15 minutes, an upbeat Premier Zikalala said he was pleased to have finally given his body the strength it would need to fight the virus, through getting vaccinated.

"It's an opportunity I've been waiting for quite a long time...for our age cohort to be vaccinated," he said.

"We call on all the people of KZN to ensure that they vaccinate. They must register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System. We have more than 200 vaccination centres across KZN."

The Premier re-iterated Government's concerns about the reluctance of some senior citizens to get vaccinated, and urged them to get inoculated against the deadly COVID-19.

"We take note of the fact that the elderly are not responding as envisaged in other parts of the Province. But here in Umkhanyakude, we have surpassed the target for those in the category of age 60 and above. We want to emphasise that as we will start vaccinating the youth soon, we request young people to ensure that when they come to vaccinate they also bring their mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers. It is a responsibility that we all have. We must protect our lives, and those of our loved ones. It is the responsible thing to do.

"After getting vaccinated, I think I can confirm with certainty that there is no problem at all with the vaccine. And everyone can vaccinate. That is the message that we want to send to all people of KwaZulu-Natal."

Also getting his jab today was the mayor of Mtubatuba, Cllr Veras Ngcamphalala, as well as other community leaders.

Premier Zikalala said: "We are also emphasising that we want leaders in our respective districts to also take responsibility of encouraging people, and organising them to go out and vaccinate. That is what we are appreciating with the leadership of Umkhanyakude. The mayors, councillors, our traditional leadership have been very helpful in spreading the message and encouraging people to go and vaccinate. We appreciate that. And it needs to continue."

Over the past 24 hours, the Province has had 832 new cases of COVID-19, taking its tally to 386 217. There are currently 19 455 active cases, while the number of fatalities stands at 11 431. There have been 354 467 recoveries.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, who was accompanying the Premier, encouraged all those who want to get vaccinated to get registered, in order to avoid long queues.

"We are starting to vaccinate those aged 18 years and above from the 1st of September, as announced by the President, and we are making a call that young people should register because many of them have access to technology, and they understand how it works.

"Of course when people come to our facilities we will not turn them away, but we are urging them to register. If they heed our call, it will mean that long queues will be averted."

ENDS Issued by the KZN Department of Health