GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Garden Route Mayor Memory Booysen encourages Garden Routers, in particular those 50 years and older, to register for Covid-19 vaccination. 

Booysen received his first Phizer dose at the Thembalethu Clinic today, Thursday 8 July. He will return to the clinic on 19 August, after 42 days, for his second jab.

Booysen arrived at 12:05 and got his injection half an hour later. He waited in line with other Garden Routers for his turn.

“I felt a little sting when they gave me the injection, but otherwise I feel perfectly fine,” said Booysen. “I trust that the public will continue to turn out in big numbers to get vaccinated. I also urge the public to help stop the spread of misinformation, fear and fake news about vaccines.”

To date, 53 582 people in the Garden Route have been vaccinated since the start of the vaccine programme and more are expected to register to get their injections.

Booysen with the two officials who administered his first jab, administrative officer Shivontri Ingram (left) and operational manager of the Thembalethu Clinic Geraldine Swartz (right).

Booysen’s Chief of Staff, Siphiwe Dladla, also got vaccinated at the Thembalethu Clinic with the mayor.

Facts about Covid-19 vaccines:

• Covid-19 vaccines are tested rigorously and are proven to be safe and effective.
• If you are an adult with an underlying medical condition or illness, you have a greater risk of severe Covid-19 and should get the vaccine to protect you.
• It gives protection against severe Covid-19 and Covid-19-related death.
• It cannot give you Covid-19 as it does not contain any live virus.
• It cannot change your DNA.
• No Covid-19 vaccine contains animal products or eggs. The vaccines are suitable for vegans and are halaal. The rubber stoppers of the vaccine vials do not contain latex.

Memory Booysen waited in line for 30 minutes to get vaccinated at the Thembalethu Clinic in George.

Fifteen minutes after Booysen received his first jab, Zilla North (manager of medical services for the George sub-district) took him on a tour of the state-of-the-art Thembalethu Clinic in George. Behind Zilla is Phylicia Jeposa, assistant primary healthcare manager at the Thembalethu Clinic.

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