With the new Omicron variant rapidly spreading, vaccination is more important than ever before to protect against severe illness and death

As of 1 December 2021, the total number of individuals who are 18 years and older who have received at least one dose of vaccines was 2 467 423 or 50% of the total adult population. Of that population, 2 134 080 or 43% have been fully vaccinated. The total number of children, aged between 12 – 17 Years, vaccinated to date stands at 65 645 or 10%. These vaccination targets are still not near the 70%+ targets that we have set ourselves for year end. The Department would really like to improve the vaccination coverage, particularly of the older and more vulnerable population.

We will continue our efforts to increase uptake of vaccination in all groups. Get vaccinated at the Vooma Vaccination week from 3-10 December before the holidays so that you and your loved ones can be fully protected and have a safe holiday period together and help us prevent severe illness and death ahead of the fourth wave.

Province is in a resurgence

The Western Cape is now officially in a resurgence. This means that there has been a steep increase in cases, which is concerning, but case numbers remain relatively low. We know that we are in a resurgence because there has been an over 20% week-on-week percentage change in the 7-day moving average of new cases.

As part of the departmental Resurgence Response plan, vaccination coverage remains the key intervention to mitigate the impact of the fourth wave on the health system.

Making vaccination as easy as possible

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is now easier than ever before. There is no need to pre-register before getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and you can get vaccinated within 30 minutes at any of the Vooma week sites. Please watch our platforms for details of daily, weekly and weekend vaccination sites in your area. We are delivering vaccines in the following ways:

A wide network of public and private sites open daily

A range of community vaccine sites, taking vaccination closer to the people
The Vaxi Taxi (where mobile vaccination “taxi’s” visit various areas
“Fixed” sites (such as Community Centre of Hope at UCT, Disa Hall in Tygerberg or Athlone Stadium) – which are open consistently and can process large numbers
A number of “Sisonke” sites particularly for healthcare workers (some also open this coming weekend of 4th and 5th December).

Added incentives for vaccination to assist with uptake

Several activities will support the Vooma week efforts, such as additional incentives for vaccinating people. These include:

Vooma vouchers of R200 for people aged 50 years or older who come for their first vaccination; and
A lucky draw with hundreds of cash prizes of R1,000, R10,000 and R100,000 for everyone who has received at least one vaccination by the end of the year.
To gain entry into the lucky draw, people aged 50 and older that have been vaccinated before or on 31 December and whose details are captured on the EVDS system will be eligible. Winners will be contacted on the number they have given when they vaccinated.

Source: Department of Health