The Western Cape vaccinated almost 1000 people on day one of Phase 2 yesterday, with health teams going to old age homes, including a small number of people at vaccination sites and health workers.

From next week more vaccination sites will be coming online.

A retired nurse yesterday became the first eligible non-health worker in the Western Cape to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The 61 year old Mara Majiedt worked at Tygerberg Hospital for just over 40 years and ended her public service in 2018. She received her vaccination, along with her husband, at the Brackenfell Vaccination Centre and wore a special mask to mark the occasion.

Her mask featured a picture of her friend, who she says was one of the first healthcare workers who passed away due to COVID-19. Majiedt says she got the shot to protect her family.

Elderly add their voice of support to the vaccine:

Another resident, Lillian Slamat, has encouraged elderly residents to consider vaccination. The Elsies River resident was among the oldest residents to be vaccinated in the Western Cape. “Tannie Lilly,” aged 90, says she had no nerves before getting her jab at the Karl Bremer Hospital Vaccination Centre.

“I am taking the vaccine today to protect myself. I would encourage others to take the injection as well, it’s something good and will help you. I was not nervous, but I was up at 3am which is my normal time to wake up. You could say I was excited.”

Belhar resident Jean Arnold, 69, was the second resident who received her vaccination at the Karl Bremer Vaccination Centre. “You go for a flu injection, so why can’t you take the COVID-19 vaccine? The vaccine is here to protect us. I didn’t sleep too much, I was excited.”

Bellville resident, Ernest Adonis, 78, described the vaccination as “something good,” after receiving his jab.“It was good for me. I think the vaccine will be good for our people, it’s like the flu vaccine. I advise every elderly person to get vaccinated.”

Registering to receive the vaccine is easy

• Western Cape Government Health encourages all persons 60 years and older to register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
• Dial *134*832# from your phone to start the registration process OR
• Send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp OR
• visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za

The public is urged to only visit vaccination facilities once their appointments have been confirmed. This will ensure that everyone is assisted and gets vaccinated.