The City of Cape Town’s Health Department boosted vaccine registration efforts among the elderly when a drive added 1 287 people at grant payout points.

The City’s Environmental Health Practitioners visited 62 payout points around the metropole and assisted residents 60 and older to register on the national Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS).

As at Monday 7 June, just more than 46% of all persons aged 60+ had registered to be vaccinated in the metropole. However, despite these successes many more elderly residents need to be registered.

Residents are advised NOT to visit vaccination sites unless they have received their second confirmation SMS – please note clients receive two confirmation smses : one sms to confirm they have registered successfully and one sms to confirm their date, time and vaccination venue. 

* After registering on the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) you will  receive an SMS verifying your registration
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* When it is your turn to be vaccinated, you will receive a second SMS with the appointment date, time and venue
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* Scheduling of appointments is done via the EVDS and it may take a few weeks before clients receive an appointment
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* All who have registered will be vaccinated.
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* Those who are scheduled to attend a vaccination site far from their home, should contact the National EVDS Hotline on 0800 029 999 to reschedule their appointment at a site closer to their home
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* All other vaccination related queries can be directed to the Provincial call centre on 0860 142 142.
* ‘We are appealing to community organisations, youth groups, religious organisations to initiate drives in their communities so that as many elderly are supported and assisted with the registration as possible. We ask clients to be patient and wait for the second SMS before going to the vaccination site. The second SMS may take some time and I encourage our residents to be patient. All those who have registered will be vaccinated.

‘There has been an increase in the number of people who flock to City vaccination sites without appointments or with appointments for vaccination at non-City sites. Once more doses arrive, we will be able to scale up the services at the vaccination sites, but encourage residents to wait for an SMS (date and place) before going to a vaccination site,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
                                                     
The vaccination drive also extended to the Mfuleni, Eerste River and Macassar Libraries, where Councillor Badroodien was joined by Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management.

‘The Urban Management Directorate, through the Public Participation unit, is assisting City Health officials to encourage eligible residents (60 years and older) to register for the second phase of the vaccination programme. The vaccines are safe, have been rigorously tested, and proven to provide excellent protection against serious Covid-19 illness and death. I again want to encourage all residents who are eligible under this second phase to register as soon as possible,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Those who have not yet registered on EVDS, are encouraged to do so using the following options:

USSD free service: dial *134*832#
OR send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp
OR visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za

Residents are reminded to continue adherence to health and safety protocols.

‘Continue to observe the protocols, even if you have been vaccinated. Maintain social distancing and keep wearing your mask and sanitising your hands,’ added Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town