Home News Over 97,000 people have been vaccinated in NC

Over 97,000 people have been vaccinated in NC

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“With more vaccination sites opening over weekends, we aim to register a new target of 10,000 vaccinations per day,” says MEC.

File image. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)

A TOTAL of 97,522 people in the Northern Cape had been vaccinated by July 19 since the vaccination programme kicked off in February this year.

The MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, will this week conduct an oversight visit to the provincial vaccination sites as the Department of Social Development kicks off its vaccination programme on Tuesday and the Department of Correctional Services launches its vaccination programme on Thursday.

Lekwene said he is pleased with the progress of the programme and is relieved that the people of the Province have opted to get vaccinated.

“We have recorded an upsurge in the number of vaccinations that were administered. We have recorded a high of 29,783 people who were vaccinated during last week; and with other sectors activated, this will ensure vaccination improvement in the Province,” said Lekwene.

“The average daily vaccination was 5,957 compared to the 3,528 recorded the previous week. With more vaccination sites opening over weekends, we aim to register a new target of 10,000 vaccinations per day.”

Lekwene added that the programme has been running smoothly.

“We started the vaccination programme with the Sisonke Access Programme, which entailed the vaccination of health-care workers and residents of the age 60 years and older in Phase 1. Phase 2 of Pfizer now includes those of the age of 35 and older, people working in Basic Education and the South African Police Services.

“Provincially, there are over 90 permanent and temporary vaccination sites run by the public and private health sectors. In addition to this, the department has intensified its roll-out campaign by means of conducting regular outreach visits to far-flung areas in all local municipalities on a weekly basis.”

Lekwene urged all those who are eligible to get vaccinated to register in order to get their jab.

“People can register on the national Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS). Everyone who is eligible for vaccination, including those awaiting SMS messages, can also make use of walk-in centres and people will be assisted by our able and capable health teams.

“The department is undertaking all necessary measures to combat vaccine hesitancy in our Province, while eliminating all barriers to accessing the vaccination sites.”

Lekwene thanked all health-care staff for their sterling work, as well as stakeholders for supporting the vaccination programme.

He also thanked all members of the public who were vaccinated, as well as those who have registered to be vaccinated.

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