What to expect from Monday 7 June

Weekly vaccination targets are being exceeded – but week-on-week scale up is dependent on vaccine supply. 
 

This week saw the Department significantly ramp up its vaccination rollout and at the end of today (Friday) we would have exceeded our target of 60 000 vaccinations for the week. Thus far, by Thursday, 52 607 over-60-year-oldsreceived their vaccination bringing the total number of people vaccinated, including health workers (91 732 during Phase 1) to 188 869. 

As at 27 May, the Western Cape had received a cumulative total of 124 020 vaccines. By the close of business today, in line with our plans, we may have used in excess of 100 000 of these vaccines, or at least 90% of the stock. As at Thursday we have already utilized 98 802 (79.6%) of available stock.

The difference of what is left, together with a new tranche of vaccines that arrive in the province, totaling 72 540 Pfizer vaccines, will be used next week. This is, however, much lower than we have expected.
 

Rollout depends on vaccine supply
Due to the delay in the J&J vaccine delivery and the limited supply of Pfizer vaccines by National that arrive weekly, we must therefore plan very carefully ahead of each week, with a necessary margin put in place. We do anticipate, due to the cut in weekly allocations, that our vaccinations targets for next week will be smaller than planned originally. We will thus see fewer vaccines distributed to sites which means we will have limited vaccinations appointments scheduled, meaning fewer people being vaccinated as planned.

Making vaccines accessible closer to home
We have also seen several appointment slots given to the elderly outside of their area by the EVDS. Though the appointment cannot be changed manually the Department has put in place measures to assist those to get an appointment slot at a vaccination site closer to their homes. Should you need assistance in getting a slot at your nearest site, please contact 0860 142 142.

What can be expected on Monday, 7 June (and the rest of the week)
This coming week, the Department will increase the number of vaccination sites to 154. The names of sites per area will be updated on our registration dashboard over the weekend and can be viewed here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine-dashboard

Eventually the planned number of Provisional Public Sector Sites for Phase 2 are:

These sites will be brought online as the phase 2 rollout is scaled up.

Private sector

The private sector has a separate supply line and receive their vaccines directly from the National Department of Health. Depending on the vaccine quantity they receive, they will also bring sites online.

Our vaccination sites will continue to prioritise booked clients, who have received their appointment SMS, but, where possible also accommodate walk-in clients who have not yet received this SMS.

This is a major operation, and we thank our residents for their patience and understanding. You have our word that we are working around the clock to deliver a world-class operation.

We would also appreciate your support by waiting for your second SMS, as it will enable our sites to operate more efficiently. These SMSs will be coming in greater numbers as all these sites come online.

We also encourage everyone who is 60 or older to please register for your vaccine. If you are not yet 60, please help someone who is. We are all in this together. Remember you can register at no cost by using the USSD service: dial *134*832# from your phone to start the registration process. OR send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp OR visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. You can also access this link on our website, www.westerncape.gov.za.  

The time has come to fight back against Covid-19. #LetsDoThis, Western Cape.