WCG & CoCT encourages vaccine uptake in Mitchell's Plain over VOOMA weekend

Over 300 public and private vaccine sites are operational in the Western Cape on Saturday & Sunday, as part of Vooma Vaccination Weekends, which aim to mobilise citizens and people living in South Africa to get vaccinated as a means to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The public and private health sectors, organised labour and business and community- and faith-based formations will join forces in the vaccination drive themed ‘’Vooma Vaccination Weekend.’’

This is the first Vooma Vaccination Weekend in a series of outreaches under this banner in which leadership from across the political spectrum, civil society, traditional leaders, labour and business will mobilise communities to stay safe by being vaccinated.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all vaccination sites would be open on weekends as government intensifies efforts to administer 16 million more vaccination jabs by mid-December.

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato, and the Western Cape’s Health MEC, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo, visited one of the vaccine drive’s pop-up vaccine sites at Watergate Mall in Mitchells Plain, on Saturday.

Winde says his Department hopes to inoculate 3 million people in the province this weekend. He revealed that 34 000 people got the jab on Friday, and hopes to up this number as the weekend progresses.

“The Western Cape is currently the leading province in terms of single doses of vaccines administered. We aim to fully vaccinate 70% of those over 50 years old by December and 70% of the eligible population with at least one dose. This weekend alone, we aim to administer 80 000 vaccines.”

“We set December as our target because we want to ensure that we all have a summer that we can look forward to. The pandemic has taken so much from us all, and we must begin to move forward so that we can save lives and jobs,” added Winde.

SUPPLIED: WCG

Excecutive Mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato, encouraged those who haven’t gotten the jab to make use of this weekend to do so

“I strongly encourage those who aren’t yet vaccinated but who would like to be, to make use of the VOOMA weekend where many sites will be open to the public. I do understand that some people are however hesitant to get the vaccine and encourage those of you who need more information to speak with a trusted healthcare practitioner about your concerns and talk to a friend or relative and ask them about their vaccine experience.”

Meanwhile, Western Cape’s Health MEC, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo, who recently launched the ‘’Jabs b4jol’’ campaign, which targets young people at ‘vibey’ places, encouraged citizens to get the jab.

“We all want to enjoy the festive season which is why I have also launched the jabs b4jol campaign to encourage especially young people to get vaccinated. Vaccines are safe and very effective. We are seeing a lot fewer hospitalisations and deaths in people who get vaccinated.’’

‘’While some people have minor reactions after getting vaccinated like headaches or fever, these are often easily managed at home, and the benefit of getting vaccinated is much greater than being unvaccinated and getting COVID-19. Please use any one of our vaccine sites, particularly over the VOOMA weekend. Many who are 18 years and older, who received their jabs from 20 August, are now eligible for their second shot. Please do not hesitate, fully vaccinate,” added Mbombo.

SUPPLIED: WCG

Done By: Mitchum George