​Qaqambile Mdledle
Health workers have urged the public to get vaccinated to help the country achieve herd immunity and get people's lives back to normal. 
Their call comes just days before government kickstarts phase two of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout on Monday,17 May 2021. 
Gabo Mashaba a professional nurse working at Tembisa Hospital was vaccinated at Steve Biko Academic Hospital on 22 February and says people should not fear being vaccinated as her experience was painless.
"I did not experience any side effects after inoculation and continued with my duties on the day." 
She encouraged people over the age of 60 and above and with people with comorbidities to get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid more COVID -19 related deaths.
"I chose to be vaccinated because I want to reduce the risk of getting the virus and to encourage the community to be vaccinated, especially the elderly and other high-risk groups," she said.
Dr. Yvette Nel works as a medical specialist at Tara hospital, she only experienced body aches, headaches, and muscle pain on the first two days after being vaccinated and no other side effects.
"Experiencing side effects on vaccines is not uncommon but normal signs that the body is building protection. It is important to note that not everybody is going to react the same, it depends on a number of factors such as general lifestyle," she said.
She urged people to continue adhering to non-pharmaceutical interventions eve after vaccination. 
"I am protected but other people, my family, have not yet received the vaccine and I need to still be cautious as I can still be a carrier," she added.