Premier Alan Winde says the province’s approach of scaling up its mass vaccination campaign is starting to take shape, and will gain more momentum in the weeks ahead.

The Western Cape’s approach in the first week of the mass vaccination programme was to first start with a smaller group of eligible residents at a smaller number of vaccination sites, to test the system, and to ensure a smooth process going forward.

This approach is seeing results with 10 additional sites being brought online on Tuesday, resulting in 18 sites operational in the Western Cape during this first week.

This scale-up has also resulted in the more than doubling of vaccines being administered per day in the last three days alone, with 729 residents over the age of 60 getting their vaccine on Monday, increasing to 1558 yesterday alone. 

On Monday, additional sites will be brought online again, and this will be communicated once those details are finalised.

The Western Cape’s Department of Health has also been given control over the scheduling of SMS’s, which will allow local teams to control the distribution of SMS’s in the province:

• Vaccine beneficiaries can expect a 3-day lead time, going forward, so that residents have enough time to get to their vaccination site.
• The Department will also make sure that sites are selected close to where the person resides.
• Those who missed their first appointment will still be able to get their vaccine and a new date by contacting the following number to reschedule: 0800 029 999.

Private vaccination sites are also starting to come online in the Western Cape.

The Clicks Pharmacy group has brought on the following sites:

• Constantia
• Tygervalley
• Westcoast Village
• Blue Route
• Paarl Mall
• Vredendal Mall
• Edgemead

Mediclinic will also bring online private vaccination sites as of 24 May:

• Cape Gate
• Milnerton
• Geneva Hospital
• Vergelegen Hospital

It is important to note that these sites operate like all others in terms of scheduling. You must be registered on the national EVDS system, and you must be invited to the site, like all others.

Like with public sites, you cannot arrive at a private sector site and expect to be vaccinated without first being scheduled by the local team and invited accordingly.

Those 60 years and older are still urged to register for a vaccine as soon as possible:

• Visit www.westerncape.gov.za and click on the link OR
• Dial *134*832# and follow the prompts OR
• WhatsApp the word REGISTER to 0600 123456
• If you know of an elderly person with no access to technology help them register or refer them to a public library or one of the 75 e-centres across the province to get assistance.

WC Min. Anroux Marais announced that public libraries in the WC are assisting residents 60 years and older with vaccination registration.

Please see map highlighting the 18 municipalities where assistance is available at libraries ➡️ https://t.co/i20Z1mK2dW #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/MOq2WgLirN

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) May 20, 2021

Margaret Elizabeth Smith (99) is our latest vaccine ambassador: “There isn’t anything to fear, I chose to be vaccinated because I don’t want to contribute to the spread of COVID-19.” Read more here➡️ https://t.co/sZSxcK0tRE #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/N7CX331xAy

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) May 20, 2021