Dr. Blade Nzimande encourages vaccination at Harry Gwala Hospital

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, received his Covid-19 booster shot from Harry Gwala Hospital last week, during an oversight visit to encourage vaccination. Pictured administering his third Pfizer booster shot is Sister Ndlovu from Harry Gwala Hospital.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande visited Harry Gwala Hospital (formerly Edendale Hospital) to encourage members of the public to vaccinate against Covid-19, after the hospital experienced a lull in vaccination numbers recently.

During the visit, he also received his Covid-19 booster shot. “I have just received my third Pfizer vaccine and I feel fine,” he told the media. He said the oversight visit served to get his third jab, but also as a member of National Coronavirus Command Council, to see how the vaccination drive was going at the hospital.

Harry Gwala Hospital senior medical manager Dr. Mthembu confirmed the hospital had experienced a decline in their vaccination programme recently. Nzimande, who went through the Covid-19 full screening process and got his booster shot administered by nursing sister Ndlovu, said he was impressed with the hospital’s vaccination programme.

“What I would like to say, which is the reason why I go public when I vaccinate, is to encourage others to vaccinate, as vaccination ultimately is what will help us to defeat Covid-19.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with vaccines. In fact, all of us, when we are born, get vaccinated against diseases such as polio. All of us would not be here if we were not vaccinated as children. Vaccines

have always been scientifically proven,” he said.

“We are aware, as government, that we still have a large percentage of people who have not been vaccinated, but they do believe in vaccination. We want to encourage everybody, and especially those who believe in vaccinations, to make time and make your way to actually come and vaccinate. It is the only way we can defeat Covid-19,” he urged.

He also touched on the debate between the pro-vaxxers and the anti-vaxxers.

“You have to understand that it takes us all back when you have some that are vaccinated and others that aren’t. I use the example of everyone in a swimming pool where one section of the pool is being reserved for people to urinate in.

“You have the right to refuse or not to vaccinate. But your right is not absolute. Those who have been vaccinated also have a right to feel safe. In other words, there is no right that is absolute.

“I have a problem with people who are only arguing this from one side to say allow people who do not want to do so because they have a right. But so do the people who have vaccinated have a right to feel safe. When people who are vaccinated complain about those who are not vaccinated, they have a right to do so,” he said, adding that one should be guided by the constitution in such matters.