City of Cape Town healthcare workers will, from today, be able to receive Covid-19 vaccines at one of four different sites. The scheduling of the appointments is done at an operational level to ensure minimal disruption to clinic services.
‘There is a global effort under way to bring the Covid-19 pandemic to an end. A key component of this is the administering of the vaccine to approximately two thirds of the population. These vaccines have been shown to reduce symptomatic disease and it is hoped they will reduce infection rates, in turn saving lives and once administered in sufficient quantity, will allow the restrictions on our movement and the economy to be removed,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Following engagements with the National and Provincial Departments of Health, the National Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign started in the Western Cape last week at three hospitals. These are Groote Schuur, Tygerberg and Khayelitsha District. Karl Bremmer became a vaccination site yesterday.
City nurse Sister Nombini Ndzishe, the HIV/TB programme manager at Luvuyo clinic in Khayelitsha, was one of the first healthcare workers to be vaccinated alongside the President on the day the vaccination campaign was launched.
Since the start of the vaccination campaign, a number of healthcare workers employed at these hospitals and the private sector have been vaccinated.
‘Access to vaccines is equitable and this means that frontline health care workers across all platforms are able to take the vaccines and not only the staff at the above mentioned hospitals. While it is strongly recommended that healthcare workers consider taking the vaccine, they will be allowed to make an informed decision as to whether or not they will accept or refuse it,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Continued tranches of the vaccine will arrive in two weekly intervals until the end of March 2021. The second tranche of vaccines is expected to arrive in the province on Saturday.
‘Vaccination is our primary method of prevention and reducing the rate of infection. We cannot let our guard down and until we reach the point where everyone can be protected, we must all continue to follow the Covid-19 safety protocols. Wear your mask, sanitise your hands regularly and maintain social distancing of 1,5 metres at all times,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Fatality Management
There was a significant 25% decline in the total demand for burials from last week with 30 Covid-19 related burials.
The highest recorded burials were at Maitland (95), Welmoed (56) and Klip (Grassy Park) (40).
‘City cemeteries are open for families to visit, to clean graves and do memorial work provided that they continue to adhere to health protocols. The busiest days remain weekends and families are advised to visit on weekdays when there is more space for social distancing,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Residents are reminded to:
- Consider weekday burials and alternative burial methods
- Limit funeral and graveside attendance to 50 persons
- Strictly adhere to Covid-19 protocols (social distancing, wearing masks, hand sanitising)
- Stay home if they feel unwell or have been exposed to a Covid-positive individual