South Africa has rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination for all age groups countrywide. These 25-40-year-olds describe what it was like to get their jabs and why they think it’s essential that we all do.
Beth de Carle
Senior Account Manager | VMLY&R
“Overall, my first jab experience was fantastic. Considering that I’m terrified of needles and injections, I was really nervous at first. I had my vaccination at Discovery and was in and out in less than 45 minutes. The process was quick and painless and I hardly felt a thing. Afterwards, I felt such a sense of relief and peace. On day two I had a stiff arm, but hardly anything to complain about. I also felt a bit of fatigue and slight dizziness.
“For me, getting the vaccine was a no brainer. I feel strongly that if everyone gets vaccinated we’ll be able to return to normality. Although we’ll still need to be careful, it’ll prevent deaths as well as another severe wave that leads to more restrictions and job losses, which will then affect the economy. If that isn’t enough, then I don’t know what is! I encourage everyone to get vaccinated.”
Zanele Radebe
eHOD for Legal Affairs | Vodacom
“My vaccine went well, no hassles. I didn’t have to wait because I went for mine as scheduled. Including the 15-minute ‘observation’ period afterwards, the process took about 30 minutes from start to finish. I only had a sore arm for about 24 hours and a headache for a few hours after the vaccination.
“It’s important for people to vaccinate for two reasons: Number one is to reduce the pressure on our health system. It lessens the risk of infection and severe illness, which in turn reduces the need for oxygen and hospitalisation. The second thing is to rebuild public protection and to ensure the return to economic activity.”
Ernst Lass
Creative Director: Design | VMLY&R
“For my first vaccination, I went to the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC). I was super-impressed with how friendly the staff were and how quickly the queues moved. The whole process took just under an hour. There was a feeling of excitement in the air as everyone was super-amped to get their first jab. For my second shot, I went to the Medscheme vaccination site in Woodstock. The queues were a bit slower moving and the process took just over an hour. Well worth the wait.
“I was fine after my first jab, but the second one did knock me a bit. Not a major problem though, as I just worked from my bed – the benefits of working from home! It’s so important for all of us to vaccinate. It may not stop you from getting the virus, or even from passing it on to others, but it will stop you from getting super-sick. The only way we can get back to a semi-normal life is if everyone gets vaccinated.”
Varushka Padayachi
Editor | New Media
“I did mine at Parkhurst Recreation Centre in Joburg and found the whole process super-efficient and organised; I think it took me all of 20 minutes on a Friday afternoon. The nurse who did my vaccine was also so helpful and funny. It was important to me to get the vaccine because at the beginning of the year I got COVID-19, and the worst part of it was the thought that I could have passed it on to someone else. Getting the vaccine doesn’t just reduce my risk of contracting COVID-19 again, but it also reduces my risk of infecting others.
“I had psyched myself up for arm pain because everyone told me that’s what was going to happen, but I barely felt anything. I must admit I was a bit tired for the next week after, but that was the only side-effect I felt. I’m just really excited and happy to be vaccinated.”
Sashin Devraj
Senior Digital Account Manager | VMLY&R
“For my first vaccination, I went to the President Hyper Dis-Chem along with a few family members and friends in my age group. The staff were friendly and helpful and the entire process took about 45 minutes. The nurses were also very warm and patient; they gave us a lot of information about the vaccine and any side-effects we may experience.
“The day after (a Friday), I experienced no side-effects. Over the weekend, however, my arm was quite sore where I got jabbed and I felt a bit tired. But by Monday morning, I was perfect. I can’t wait to get my second jab!
“It’s very important to get vaccinated as it’s the only way we can beat the COVID-19 pandemic. Having lost multiple family members and friends throughout the pandemic, I have a strong view that being vaccinated is the only way we can return to some sort of normalcy in our country. Not only will the vaccine save your life, but you’re saving other people’s lives too by getting vaccinated.”
Register for the vaccination online
To register for the vaccine, simply visit the official COVID-19 South African Vaccination Portal.
- Header image by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
