More than 100 000 vaccinations done in four days!

With the improvement in vaccine supply and more access to vaccination sites we were able to increase the number of vaccinations done over the past week, breaching the 100 000 mark in the first four days of the week! 

This is the first week the province could really ramp up its vaccination rollout on all fronts and administer more than 100 000 vaccinations. This is largely due to opening the system for those older than 50 years as well as initiatives explored to make vaccination more easily accessible to our communities.   

How did we get to 100 000 vaccinations this week? 

Vaccinations done on: 

Monday – 21 802 

Tuesday – 23 217 

Wednesday – 29 658 

Thursday – 28 404 

This means that as at Thursday, we have already administered 103 081 vaccinations (for the week) bringing the total number of vaccinations (including health workers and educators) to 589 022.

But we need everyone older than 50 to register and take up the opportunity to be vaccinated. By doing this, you not only protect yourself, but you also set an example to the rest of the community by doing the right thing and protecting them as well.  

Ensuring improved access to vaccines 

The Department has identified communities with low registration and have been engaging them on several ways to access vaccination. Not only have we increased the vaccine allocations to the Rural areas, but our teams have also pro-actively embarked on several initiatives to take vaccinations to the people. 

Examples of these initiatives are not limited to the Rural areas, but were also evident in pockets in the Metro where registrations were low: 

• Partnering with farming communities, such as in Theewaterskloof, to assist farm workers with registration and also being vaccinated 
• Active mobile outreaches in Zoar and Amalienstein resulting in 80% of over 60s registering 
• Vaccination outreaches in Friemersheim, Rheebok, Brandwag and Hartenbos enabled smaller communities to be vaccinated 
• Red Dot Taxis are assisting with transport for those in far outlying rural areas 
• Bedridden patients are receiving their vaccinations at home 
• Onsite assistance to register is now available at all sites 
• More private sites are now online, both in Rural and Metro 
• Pop-up registration sites at Boxer stores and SASSA pay points  
• Opening the biggest mass vaccination site in the Province at the CTICC 
• Health interns alongside, Community Health workers and Neighbourhood watch members partnered for a community door to door registration drive in Pelican Park 
• Health Committee members from the Kleinvlei community assisted with registration drives. 

What to expect next week (12 - 16 July) 

On 8 July, we received a further 58 500 doses, which, along with the remaining vaccines, will be used to extend our vaccination coverage next week.  This brings the latest combined vaccines received to 685 320 (including the Johnson & Johnson vaccines for educators). Our target for next week is to do 120 000 vaccinations and if we continue with this week’s pace, we will definitely achieve it. The public can expect approximately 200 active public health vaccination sites across the province. 

Call on eligible age groups 

We urge any citizen 60 years and older who has not registered, or have not received an appointment, to please present to their closest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination.  The first dose for 60-year and older remains the highest priority at the moment. 

The EVDS system will continue to allocate available appointment slots in the following order of priority:  

Priority 1 - people 60 years and older requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine; 

Priority 2 - people 60 years and older who are eligible for their 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine (approximately 42 days after their 1st dose);  

Priority 3 - people aged 50 -59 years requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine.  

As usual, a limited number of walk-ins will be accommodated at the vaccination sites. The number of walk-ins depend on the available capacity and vaccine doses available at each individual site.  

Keeping safe during the Third Wave 

We are currently in the midst of an established Third Wave of Covid-19 infections. The best way we can protect each other is to avoid social gatherings outside our immediate home environment and protect our ‘bubble’. This is your ‘safe space’.  

Thus, let’s keep this behavior going for the next few weeks, to break the chain of transmission and flatten the curve. 

We can avoid a transmission chain from setting in by protecting our air space.  

• Avoid all large gatherings;  
• Avoid any social gatherings where possible;  
• If you need to go out to do activities such as shopping, always wear your mask and keep it short; 
• If you must meet, keep it outdoors, small and short;  
• When indoors, dress warmly and ensure the windows are open so your space is well ventilated with fresh air; 
• If sick, stay home