A new day has dawned as over 18-year-olds line up for vaccination

Registration and vaccination for the last age bracket, 18–34-year-olds, opened on Friday which resulted in many eligible people queuing at vaccination sites. The fact that on the first day there were so many persons eager to be vaccinated is a very positive sign. On Friday alone, the province vaccinated 53 290  people – that is 18 336 more than the previous highest total in the week (see daily breakdown below).

This comes at a good time, as the country is no longer experiencing the restriction in the number of vaccines but is now in the fortunate position to be able to scale up the numbers of vaccinations going forward.

For the week 16 – 20 August, the Department administered 187 561 vaccines. This is now also the most vaccines administered in a single week. While the entire country experienced a period of low uptake in recent weeks, the opening of the last cohort will breathe new life into the vaccination programme. We have a window of four months to get maximum uptake of the vaccination to ensure we reduce the impact a possible fourth wave will have on our communities.

How did our vaccination programme perform this week (16 – 20 August)

Even with dwindling numbers our teams have continued to go into communities, erect pop-up vaccination stations, visit farms and doing outreaches to shelters ensuring that no-one is left behind.
 

Vaccinations administered on:

• Monday = 30 334
• Tuesday = 34 694
• Wednesday = 34 389
• Thursday = 34 954
• Friday = 53 290

Overall vaccination performance (as at 20 August)

• 453,336 over 60-year-olds have been vaccinated. Of which, 339 608 have already been fully vaccinated;
• 293,792 in the 50-59 age bracket been vaccinated. Of which, 100 056 have already been fully vaccinated; and
• 374,345 in the 35-49 age bracket have been vaccinated. Of which, 141 181 have already been fully vaccinated.

Weekend vaccinations now available at sites across the province to improve easy access

Today (21 August) we will have 25 sites open to the public for vaccination on a Saturday. These Saturday sites afford the opportunity to those who want to be vaccinated but due to other commitments cannot make it during the week.

On Saturday, 21 August the following sites will be open:

Metro

• Site B CDC
• Kleinvlei Recreational Hall
• Somerset West Town Hall
• Khayelitsha Hospital (Cipla container)
• Charles Morkel Hall
• Solomon Tshuku Hall
• VGK Church, Sarepta
• Ebenhaezer Congregational Church, Sarepta
• Goodwood Civic Centre
• Durbanville Town Hall

• Ikwezi Hall, Gugulethu
• Beaconvale Frail Care Centre
• Heideveld CDC
• Saxon Sea Hall
• False Bay Hospital
• Retreat CHC

Rural

• Ceres Hospital
• TC Newman CDC
• Wellington CDC
• Saron Clinic
• Happy Valley Community Hall (Bonnievale)

• Grabouw CHC
• Velddrif Clinic
• Vredendal North Community Hall
• Wesbank Community Hall

What to expect next week (23 – 27 August)

This coming week will be a very exciting one as for the first time we will have one full five-day week where everyone over the age of 18 is eligible for vaccination. We have sufficient vaccines across more than 200 public vaccination sites and are expecting these to be a hive of activity. For more detail on vaccination sites in your area, visit https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine-dashboard.

Although the 18+ age band is now open, the Department remains committed to ensure we prioritise our most vulnerable. Thus, people with comorbidities and older than 35, will be prioritised in the walk-in queues.

We thank everyone who has come forward for vaccination already and ask them to further support us by being vaccine ambassadors. Those who will be going for vaccination, if you know of someone who has not yet been vaccinated, bring them with!