Vaxi Taxi mobile vaccination site to be in outlying areas in W.Cape

Western Cape residents who might struggle to get to a vaccination site in outlying areas will soon not have to worry.

The Western Cape Department of Health, in partnership with Accelerate Cape Town and Old Mutual, launched its ‘Vaxi Taxi’ mobile vaccination site in Atlantis on Tuesday.

The Vaxi Taxi mobile vaccination service aims to boost vaccination uptake in previously underserved, rural communities and forms part a partnership to take vaccination to every corner of the Province.

The Vaxi Taxi mobile vaccination service will be rolled out to easily accessible sites, such as outside supermarkets, community centres, workplaces and educational institutions

Four Vaxi Taxi ambulances and a ‘trokkie’ have each been equipped to vaccinate up to 250 people per day.  Each unit has sophisticated cold-chain refrigeration, waste management processes and IT infrastructure, and the capability to administer both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Department of Health Nursing Practitioners will be on hand to administer the vaccines, as well as answer any queries and concerns about the vaccine in order to increase vaccine confidence.

The Western Cape’s Health MEC, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, officially launched the service in Atlantis today.

“It will take a whole-of-society approach to conquer Covid-19, that is why I am pleased by the partnership between the Western Cape Government and Old Mutual to take vaccines to the people. It is also clear that to get more people vaccinated we will need to have a tailor-made approach. It can’t be one size fits all. With these taxis, we will be able to reach out to where people are and vaccinate as many people as possible. Thank you Old Mutual for this initiative.”

Mosala Phillips, Chief Marketing Officer of Old Mutual, said that as a business deeply rooted in communities, the insurer is pleased to collaborate with the public and private sectors to accelerate the rollout of the vaccination campaign.

“Vaccination is the most powerful tool to protect everyone from the Coronavirus. It’s critical we use all the resources at our disposal to ensure we reach outlying communities, especially the elderly and most vulnerable, who may otherwise have struggled to access transport to reach vaccination sites.” 

 

PICTURE: WCG

Done By: Mitchum George