City goes mobile in its vaccination drive
17 August 2021
The three ‘vaccination vans’ will be dispatched to areas with low vaccination uptake, and aim to improve access and vaccine coverage in the metropole.
The City of Cape Town’s Health Department hopes to help accelerate vaccination rates, with the rollout of three mobile ‘pop up’ vaccination stations.
The service is now operational in the Area South, Area East and Area Central health sub-districts which includes some of the lowest registration rates; such as, Nomzamo (8,45%), Philippi (10,63%) and Delft (23,3%).
Mobilisation will be directed to vulnerable areas where access to vaccination sites is a challenge, but also, where vaccination registration and administration have been low.
Additionally, the use of these vans will help to close the growing gap of vaccine inequity being reported between our insured and uninsured residents. It is hoped that it will also help to curb the worrying trend of vaccine apathy slowly creeping in.
‘We are really excited about these vaccination vans and the critical role they can play in helping us boost the number of vaccinated residents. The locations for the sites will be chosen in consultation with local clinics and councillors, to ensure word gets out ahead of time. The vaccination vans will be able to complete registration of clients, and to administer their vaccines.
‘As with permanent vaccination sites, priority will be given to persons 60 and older. They can walk in without having registered, to be assisted with that, but also to have their vaccine administered immediately. Other groups who are eligible for vaccination in terms of the national rollout will be assisted, if they have been registered,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
For the moment, the vaccination vans will target the communities of Philippi and surrounds, Khayelitsha, and the Bellville areas.
‘We call upon National Government to open up registration and vaccination for all age groups without further delay. If we are serious about getting back on track and protecting lives and livelihoods we cannot delay the vaccination of any and all willing residents. The City of Cape Town is ready to meet the expected demand because we have planned and implemented strategies to prioritise the health of our residents and the economy of our city,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
THIRD WAVE UPDATE
The number of active cases in the metropole is at just under 25 000, with an average of just over 2 000 new cases daily.
In the past week, there were 588 Covid-19 fatalities, which represented a 5% increase compared to the previous week.
The number of hospital admissions in the same period was 1 381, a 12% decrease week-on-week.
Of the 729 premises assessed last week, 97% were found to be compliant by Environmental Health Practitioners
Behaviour at funerals, in particular the lack of social distancing, remains a concern
In the past week, City cemeteries facilitated 626 burials, compared to 647 the week before
Klip Road (176), Maitland (146) and Welmoed (109) cemeteries had the highest number of burials
The Maitland Crematorium completed 169 cremations
‘Cape Town is not yet over the peak of its third wave. It will likely be several more weeks before we start seeing a decrease in the number of infections and fatalities. Given the gravity of the situation, the lack of compliance with Covid-19 protocols in some of our communities is baffling. Various City departments report increased non-compliance with the wearing of masks, and social distancing. We cannot afford to be cavalier, no matter how fatigued we are. Even if you don’t care about your own personal well-being, think about those around you,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
End Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
