The city of Tshwane is escalating efforts to increase inoculations by introducing vaccine sites that will be open on weekends from the first week of August.
Tshwane vaccine sites open on weekends
MMC for Health Sakkie du Plooy revealed in a statement that this move was part of an ambitious goal set by Gauteng to reach a target of 100 000 vaccinations per day in the province.
“This implies that 24 109 Tshwane residents need to be vaccinated daily. The City has since implemented various initiatives in support of above-mentioned targets,” Du Plooy said.
From the first week of August, Tshwane residents looking to get vaccinated but, for reasons linked to employment commitments, can’t during the week, will be able to approach any of these sites which will be open between Friday and Sunday.
- Mabopane Indoor Centre
- Suurman Community Hall
- Laudium Community Health Care Centre
- Atteridgeville Community Hall
- Olievenhoutbosch Community Hall
- Mamelodi West Community Hall
- Stanza Community Hall
- Bronkhorstspruit Community Hall
Concerns rise as over 60s fail to turn up for jabs
This month, citizens from the age of 35 can also approach a vaccine site for a jab. However, according to Du Plooy, concerns have risen over the reluctance of those aged 60 and above to get vaccinated.
This group, the MMC for Health warned, is the most vulnerable against the Delta variant.
“The latest statistics indicate that only 22.5% of our residents 60 years and older have been fully vaccinated (received the second dose). This is the most vulnerable group as it has been confirmed that the greatest number of COVID-related deaths in Gauteng occur in the 60-69 group,” Du Plooy added.
From the beginning of September, citizens aged 18 and above will be eligible for a vaccine shot. Thus far, South Africa has inoculated more than 7.55 million citizens, 2.84 million of which are fully vaccinated.