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LISWATI GETS COVID-19 JAB, SHARES EXPERIENCE

27/01/2021 01:23:00 BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA

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MBABANE – A COVID-19 vaccinated liSwati says she feels perfectly fine after taking the COVID-19 jab.

Many rumours and unverified theories have been said about the different brands of COVID-19 vaccines, with some claiming that the vaccine may result in hallucinations or craving human flesh. None of these allegations have ever been proven scientifically and they remain myths.

These theories, however, did not stop Precious Nxumalo-Banks, a liSwati based in the United Kingdom, from taking the vaccine.

“I am happy that I took my shot and I am encouraging emaSwati not to resist it once it is rolled out,” she said during an interview.

Banks relocated to Derby in England in 2019 to join her English husband who had lived in the country for over 30 years.

Optimistic

The liSwati from Zandondo confessed that as much she was now optimistic about the vaccine, at first she was sceptical about it because of all the unverified reports that she heard.

“I actually recalled a lot of things that I heard in the past each time something new happened. I was reminded of the start of the year 2000, which was branded as end of the world. Also, when barcodes on items in shops were introduced, this was labelled as being satanic. There are many other examples,” she said.

Banks vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Monday at 3pm. The AstraZeneca vaccine, also known as Oxford AstraZeneca, was made in collaboration with Oxford University.

This is the same vaccine that Eswatini is likely to use when it is eventually rolled out around March.

According to ABC News, the late stage preliminary tests found that the vaccine was 70 per cent effective in protecting against symptomatic diseases. “I took the vaccine mainly because I have two sons, family members and friends back at home who have fallen for these theories and I do not wish them to die out of ignorance. I decided to be their ‘yardstick’ and test the waters.

“As a believer, I prayed to God that if there was anything that is meant to alter my DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) or had anything satanic in the vaccine, it should be neutralised in Jesus’s name. I also prayed not to have any of the listed side effects,” she said. When asked about the process of administering the vaccine, Banks said it was easy as taking a flu injection.

“The nurses just asked if I was taking any blood thinning medication including aspirin or if I had any allergic reaction to any medication that I knew of. They then told me about the side effects which I might experience, some of which required that I take paracetamol.

“They said these side-effects, if any, would take about two days to a week. They asked me which side I wished to have it and I opted for my right shoulder. The healthcare workers then advised that if I am driving myself I should sit in the car for 15 minutes before driving off. I have been feeling perfectly fine,” she explained. Banks is due for another vaccination, the last one, on April 12 this year. She was advised to continue wearing her mask, social distance and to frequently sanitise.

“I would encourage my fellow emaSwati to brush aside all these theories and take the vaccine. Yes, a lot was also said about the HIV pandemic, but those who took the ART survived, however, there were side effects that came with it, but have since been improved. So, I would say wise up bakaNgwane and take the vaccine siphephe silive (let’s be safe as a nation),” she said.

Speaking about her experience with the pandemic, Banks said the COVID-19 virus hit her hard, especially because she was on foreign land, away from her family.

“The rate at which people were getting infected and dying here was escalating and this is when fear and anxiety took the better of me. My solace, though, was in the Lord. I would always tell the Lord that he could not bring me into a foreign land to die and not enjoy the goodness of the land.

“I concentrated on my art to cope with the numerous lockdowns and restrictions that came with the merciless virus that was spreading like wildfire. I also avoided listening to the news at all times as they brought depression. Doing my art indeed has kept me sane this far,” she said.