Eastern Cape residents can now be vaccinated at Rhino Cash and Carry, Boxer superstores, or at the post office.
This was made possible through a partnership by the Eastern Cape Health Department with businesses, state entities, and NGOs to ensure that vaccines reached a broader Eastern Cape community.
Clicks, the National Health Laboratory Service, SA Social Security Agency and at the NGO Right to Care offices would also host pop-up vaccination sites, the provincial Health Department announced last week Wednesday.
The province currently has more than 7 000 active COVID-19 cases, with more than 12 000 people having succumbed to the virus since March 2020.
While the vaccine was regarded as the best way to combat COVID-19, the department encouraged the public to continue to adhere to COVID-19 protocols by wearing masks, observing social distancing, and washing their hands with clean water and soap.
The Eastern Cape Health Department said it had now vaccinated a million people in the province.
Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, said this was a big step towards the province’s goal of inoculating 4.5 million people to achieve so-called herd immunity. The province had now pushed back its deadline to inoculate 4.5 million to March 2022, from its original end of 2021 target.
As of August 1, the department started inoculating people between the ages of 35 and 49, with the 18-34 year-olds encouraged to register from September 1.
Meth expressed gratitude and further encouraged more people to come forward for vaccination.
The MEC further acknowledged and applauded the work of front-line health workers.
“I wish to send a word of gratitude and appreciation to our front-line health workers who, since the start of COVID-19, have been committed to saving the lives of the people of the province. Even now they continue saving lives through administering the COVID-19 vaccine,” Meth added.
Accumulative number of conformed cases stand at 231 119 with 210 720 recoveries.
