With the vaccination rollout underway, Newcastle’s elderly community is rising to the occasion, taking steps to register for the COVID-19 vaccination. This determination could be seen on Wednesday morning, 12 May 2021, when the Department of Health undertook an initiative to register Newcastillians aged 60 and older.
Taking place at the Newcastle Organisation For The Aged (NOFTA) Hall in Lennoxton, residents from Paradise, Lennoxton and Fernwood lined up to ensure they were registered, doing their part in the fight against the pandemic.
Probing into the initiative, NOFTA’s president, Rajesh Ramdhaw, explained, “Senior citizens are vulnerable, and because of this, NOFTA has been closed since last year March. When the Health Department approached us with this initiative, we felt it was important. As our premises allow for social distancing and other COVID-19 regulations, we offered the Hall to them to use.”
Ensuring the elderly could register, Ramdhaw adds that NOFTA sent its bus out to pick up senior citizens in the area. “Senior citizens do not always have the capacity to register on their own, which is why we as an organisation opened up to them.” At the initiative, two elderly community members, Ronnie and Neila Ramballie, explained why the registration and the vaccine were vital. “We want to stay safe, and the vaccine may help us with this. I also believe the vaccine might work out for us and stop the spread of the virus,” states Ronnie. Neila further adds, “So many people have lost their lives to COVID-19. I would encourage others to register for the vaccine and to be safe.”
Currently, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 599 272, with a total of 54 896 deaths. The cumulative recoveries now stand at 1 519 258, representing a recovery rate of 95%.
With the registration available for South Africa’s elderly population, if you would like to register online, visit the following link: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/ and follow the respective steps.
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