​Rofhiwa Marubini 
"Getting vaccinated was not an easy thing to do, but it was worth-it". These are the words of a healthcare worker from South Rand Hospital Zaki Mkhize, a mother of two, who was vaccinated for COVID-19 in March 2021. 
 Mkhize said at first she had concerns on whether the  vaccine would work but as the days went by, she started to have a sense of relief, as none of her colleagues who  vaccinated the same time  did not  have harsh side effects.. 
Mkhize who has been a healthcare worker for years, said COVID-19 was a new experience to them in the health fraternity but she and her colleagues were forced to face it head-on. 
"None of us knew about COVID-19 as it is a new virus on the block and other colleagues were testing positive, so protecting ourselves was a vital decision, it wasn't easy for me to take a decision to be vaccinated, I had fears that subsided with time," she said.
She said three days after being vaccinated, she experienced mild symptoms. 
"Three days after my vaccination, I had a mild headache, I also enquired with my other colleagues who said they had the same experience," she said. 
in addition, Mkhize has advised other people to not hesitate when their time comes to vaccinate as it reduces the fear of getting severe illness or dying after contracting COVID-19.  
"I can advise other people to take a step and get vaccinated when your turn comes. It can be scary at first as you will  not know the side effects but once you get vaccinated, you will have peace of mind, knowing that you are at least protected," she added.