Gauteng hard at work vaccinating the masses
The Gauteng Provincial Government has not spared a day in accelerating the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The Premier, David Makhura along with Health MEC Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi have visited communities across the province accompanied by local political leaders.
In many areas, the Gauteng government has set up drive through and mobile (pop-up) vaccination sites for eligible persons to vaccinate.
The expansion of vaccination sites are meant to reach people where they live and possibly, leave no resident behind.
Premier Makhura says that in Gauteng wants to reach over 100,000 vaccinations daily.
“So far, there’s around 2.5 million vaccination done in Gauteng and a million of them are fully vaccinated. We are very grateful for those who have taken responsible action in protecting themselves and their families,” he said.
In the City of Ekurhuleni
In the City of Ekurhuleni, the Premier led the launch of the TRANSVACO vaccination train at the Springs Railway station along with Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo and mayor Mzwandile Masina.
The locomotive site is meant to encourage both minibus taxi operators and commuters in the Springs area to register and and take their vaccination on site.
In the Johannesburg Metro
Residents across Soweto have responded positively to the Bara Taxi Rank Pop-up Vaccination site. Commuters and taxi drivers came out in numbers to get their jabs. The newly elected executive mayor of Joburg, Golidee Matongo joined the Premier in evaluating sites across the City. The pair was joined by MMC Loyiso Masuku and MMC Eunice Mgcina when they visited the Lenasia South Hospital Vaccination Site and Lawley Fire Station (Pop-up site).
Speaking to the media at the Lawley pop-up site, Makhura has commended the City of Joburg in reaching over one million vaccinations.
“We still have a long way to go as we have over 4.2 million adults in Johannesburg. Relative to the rest of the province, over 53% of residents over 60 years are fully vaccinated in the City,” he explained.
The Premier also indicated that the reason behind the innovative pop-up sites are meant to address the low turnout of citizens coming to vaccinate, especially in high density areas.
In the West Rand
Employer-based vaccination in the West Rand have also been established in partnership with companies. The Mponeng Vaccination Site at the Harmony Gold Mine. The site has vaccinated over 6000 employees since its opening in June.
City of Tshwane
The capital city, Tshwane set up a drive through vaccination sites at the Zwartkops Raceway on the R55 route. Motorists in the area were encouraged to utilize this quick way of getting the jab.
Reaching the Sedibeng District
To reach the far-flung farming communities in Gauteng, the provincial government has set up vaccination sites in places like Devon in the Lesedi Local Municipality. PK Farming & enterprises abattoir in Devon has a dedicated site for farm workers around the area are coming in numbers to receive inoculation.
Makhura was joined by Sedibeng District Mayor Lerato Maloka, Lesedi Municipality Mayor Mluleki Nkosi and local councillors.
The Premier has commended women for leading the vaccination programme.
“Women are responding very well in Gauteng. We are at 57% at the moment, and 43% vaccinated men. In some regions, we got real problems because men are not coming out. We must commend women, as it is Womens Month, as they are really taking action in making people safe,” said Makhura.
The province has also explained that it will continue to expand its vaccination sites as the registration of adults between 18 and 34 years old have been opened.
