The overflow facility at the Brackenfell Clinic is the first local government site to participate in the second phase of the national Covid-19 vaccination drive.
The City of Cape Town is pleased with efforts to get the second phase of Covid-19 vaccinations off the ground.
City Health is among the many partners involved in ramping up vaccinations to the general public and achieving herd immunity against Covid-19.
Nearly 300 of the department’s staff members have been trained as vaccinators, and yesterday, Monday, 17 May 2021, the Brackenfell Clinic’s overflow site became the first City facility to administer vaccines to the public.
It is envisioned that seven more City Health facilities will make it on to the list of vaccination sites in the coming weeks out of a total of 70 planned locations.
‘This has been a long time coming, and as the City, we are pleased that the public vaccination drive is now finally underway. We will do all we can to ensure that the process runs smoothly, so that we can help our residents, communities and businesses return to life as we know it, as soon as possible. As a resident over 60, I was encouraged by health professionals to be vaccinated and was proud to get my vaccination this morning. It was a quick and painless process and I commend the professionalism of the staff on duty. To our older residents, I want to encourage you to register for the vaccine if you haven’t done so already, and if you have questions or concerns, speak to the staff at your local clinic,’ said Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.
The Western Cape received a total of 33 900 doses of Pfizer vaccine from National government to kick start phase 2. During the first day of operations, the 12 vaccinations were conducted at Brackenfell.
Today, a further 24 vaccinations are scheduled.
‘We are starting small, to iron out any teething problems that may come from what I’m sure we all agree is a mammoth undertaking. Communication on this vaccination drive is key, not only to ensure that persons know where and when to go for their vaccines, but also to address vaccine hesitancy, and to reach communities where internet and data access are very real challenges.
‘As at 13 May, only 217 698 people have registered for phase 2 of the vaccination drive. This represents only 29% of the eligible population in the province. Of this population, in the city, only 28% of our eligible population have registered thus far. I also want to reiterate the call to younger persons to assist the older persons in their home, street and community at large with the national online registration process. It is only by working together that we will make this Covid-19 vaccination drive a success,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Those over the age of 60 are reminded that they can register using the USSD code *134*832# to register free of charge, or send the word “REGISTER” via WhatsApp to 0600 123 456.
Where access to internet or data is a barrier, residents can use the City’s wifi enabled public facilities and 55 wifi enabled libraries to register on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) using their own devices.
Each person registering will require an ID number and a cell phone number where they can receive details of their appointment.
We appeal that those who registered only come to a facility once they have received a SMS confirming the date, time and location for their vaccination to be administered.