CDC-South Africa Supports Vaccination Against COVID-19

CDC-South Africa Supports Vaccination Against COVID-19 (3-minute video)

Title: CDC-South Africa Supports Vaccination Against COVID-19

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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John Blandford, CDC Country Director: CDC started working with non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations to support the emerging HIV epidemic in South Africa. More than four million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in South Africa. So, given the large platform we have here with PEPFAR and HIV and TB, with the resources we have in influenza and other respiratory disease surveillance, with the resources we have in global health security, CDC was able to mobilize and support South Africa early in the COVID-19 response.

Ms. Lungile Mbata, Senior Programme Manager, The Aurum Institute: Any system that the community has, we work through that system to get in and educate about vaccines and then gain their trust, and then be able to map out how we will do the vaccinations in the area.

John Blandford, CDC Country Director: Because of our large PEPFAR platform, our implementing partners were able to provide strong support, both technical support and implementation support to vaccination efforts. For example, Health Systems Trust rallied its own staff to serve as queue marshals, which are people who manage those in line for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Thuli Hlophe, Queue Marshal: Everyone was scared. They didn’t even know what was going to happen after the vaccination. There were a lot of myths that were circulating.

John Blandford, CDC Country Director: CDC’s partners, Aurum Institute, and Health Systems Trust, have been deeply involved in delivering vaccines in South Africa, both in terms of providing vaccines, doing vaccine delivery, but also doing vaccine preparedness, demand creation, especially among those younger populations who need to increase their rates of vaccination here in South Africa.

Thuli Hlophe, Queue Marshal: We needed to make sure that it’s a very good decision that you’re taking. And you’re going to be fine. There’s nothing to be worried about. Like I’m saying, there were a lot of things that we’ve been told about the vaccine. You’re taking a good decision, not for yourself only, but for everyone, and more especially your loved ones.

Text on slate: To learn more about CDC’s global health work visit www.cdc.gov/globalheatlh/.

Follow @CDCGlobal on social media.

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