Health workers flock to Durban hospital in rush to get jab
The Netcare Group says there's been an influx of healthcare workers arriving to be vaccinated at its St Augustine's Hospital vaccination site in Durban as the Sisonke Programme draws to a close.
It says misinformation currently being circulated isn't helping.
The group has again urged healthcare workers without an appointment to not come to the facility.
Hundreds of workers have been queuing at the facility, waiting for their turn to get a COVID-19 shot.
At St Augustine’s Hospital in #Durban where healthcare workers are queueing to receive the #Covid19 Vaccine. pic.twitter.com/aTtHUC1hyu
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) May 13, 2021
READ: Health workers urged to book Covid jab after long queues at Durban hospital
One of them, who'd travelled from Port Shepstone, had still not been attended to by 1pm. He said he arrived at the centre at 5am.
Others standing in the line told Newswatch that they were worried about their safety because social distancing wasn't being maintained and while some were taking off their masks.
There was pushing and shoving in a bid to get into the centre.
When Newswatch asked why healthcare workers have suddenly flocked to the facility this week, one queuing doctor pulled out a circular, apparently released by the Sisonke Programme.
It calls on "all healthcare workers and personnel to access the one-and-done J&J vaccine."
The message says the Sisonke Trial is entering its final week and will end on Friday, the 14th of May.
It goes on to say that walk-ins by healthcare workers seeking to be inoculated will also be accepted.
Asked a few healthcare workers why they’re here in their numbers. They say they received this circular inviting walk-ins to all vaccination facilities last week @ECR_Newswatch some of the workers I spoke 2 say they have now been turned away because they don’t have an appointment pic.twitter.com/c94SkDHmzB
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) May 13, 2021
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A nurse - who was among those waiting in line at St Augustine's Hospital on Thursday - told Newswatch that they had received an SMS the night before, telling them that walk-ins would no longer be accepted at vaccination centres.
Healthcare workers are required to register online and book an appointment before going to a vaccination facility.
Management at St Augustine's Hospital said in a statement earlier this week that for Thursday and Friday, the facility would only assist those who've come by appointment.
