Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says while the province continues to see a rise in infections, it is concerning that fewer people have been coming forward to get vaccinated.
This follows KZN overtaking Gauteng on Saturday with the number of new Covid-19 cases being reported.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Simelane said instead of the province growing vaccination numbers, there had been a drop in recent weeks.
“We have decided to convene this media briefing due to the significant rise in infections that we have noted lately,” she said.
Simelane said KZN had moved from around 20 000 vaccinations per week to less than 10 000.
“So far, our province has vaccinated 2,735 million people, while we still have a further 4,484 million people to vaccinate.
“The 12–17, and 18–34 age groups are where we’ve registered the lowest rates of vaccination, at 2,9% and 23%, respectively. And yet, these are the groups that make up quite a big proportion of our target population,” she said.
The MEC encouraged those who have flu-like symptoms to get tested and urged all those who have not been vaccinated to come forward and get the jab.
“This will enable their bodies to fight the virus in case they get infected. It will also reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death. This will also move the province and country closer to achieving population immunity,” she said.
Simelane emphasised that vaccines are safe and are not linked to 5G technology.
“They do not turn you into a Satanist, or a cannibal who feeds on human flesh bakwethu!!! The vaccine also does not cause infertility or impotence,” she said.
The MEC said society needed to choose whether to believe scientists who have “studied what they’re talking about, or scientists from the street”.
As thousands of holidaymakers flocked to Durban beaches, Simelane said as part of the department's strategy, pop-up vaccination sites have been placed on beaches.
“I must say, however, that we have not seen a very enthusiastic uptake on the beach for people to come and vaccinate. We started putting up pop-up sites on the beach on Friday, and from Friday to Monday, we vaccinated only about five or so people,” she said.
THE MERCURY