From pop-up vaccination sites, to residential pop-up sites – for easy access

From pop-up vaccination sites, to residential pop-up sites – Health teams leave no stone unturned to make it as easy as possible to get vaccinated. 

The Western Cape Department of Health continues to be a learning, adaptive and innovative one. During the COVID-19 pandemic the Department has shown that its top priority is to safeguard those most at risk of this virus. This thread has continued throughout the vaccination programme.

Pop-up sites and in-residential vaccination sites have now become regular features across the province. Our communities asked for access to vaccination closer to them, away from fixed health sites, and we have delivered. Through working with our communities, our health teams have listened, have adjusted its strategy and have taken vaccines into people’s homes.

The latest adjustment comes in the form of taking vaccines into communities through setting up a pop-up vaccination station in the community. This follows the previous adaption of setting up such sites at shopping centres, grocery stores and at SASSA pay-points.

The message is clear – vaccines are widely available, but we need each and every eligible member of the community to take up the opportunity. Our data has shown that those over the age of 50 years and those with comorbidities are at higher risk of contracting severe illness, being hospitalized and dying if unvaccinated.

Since the start of the vaccination programme to the public in May and as at 15 November, the Department has managed to administered 3 910 986 vaccines. This has resulted in:

• 500 701 people over the age of 60 to be vaccinated or 69,24% of the total population in this age group – 462 682 people already being fully vaccinated which translates to 63,98% of the population age group fully protected and looking forward to a safe summer.
• 406 782 in those aged 50 – 59 have been vaccinated (59,46% of the age population). Of these, 366 485 (53,57%) being fully vaccinated.
• 766 436 people aged 35 – 49 (50,7%) have been vaccinated and 651 547 fully vaccinated (43,1% of the total population in this age group).
• 739 687 or 35,95% of the total number of people aged 18-34 years have received at least their first dose and 542 855 (26,38%) have already been fully vaccinated
• 46 051 of our children aged 12-17 have also already received their one-dose vaccine.

To put these totals into perspective, 2 023 748 people (excluding the 12-17 years) have already been fully vaccinated ahead of the summer and festive season.

Our appeal remains to all those over the age of 50 years, to be vaccinated ahead of socializing with friends and family. The vaccine offers you great protection against becoming severely ill, needing to be hospitalized over this joyous season, and also protects you against possible death.

Let us not hesitate to be vaccinated. Our teams will be setting up various pop-up sites in residential areas, at shopping centres, at fixed sites and also over weekends. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure we save the summer for ourselves and for our loved ones.