Media Release: Eighty-year old the first to get jab as part of Phase 2

For Immediate Release
25 May 2021

Kitty Rossouw(80) was the first public person to be vaccinated, today 25 May 2021,  in the Garden Route district as part of Phase 2 of the vaccination drive.

“I’ve decided long ago to get the vaccination, and I am glad my chance has finally come. I want to visit my children and feel safe doing so”, said Kitty.

“We have started with people in old age homes, and plan to visit all the old age homes in our district. We plan to start vaccinating the rest of those who are over 60 and who have registered, at our sub-district sites in June. This is all dependant on the number of vaccines we receive and when we do receive them. Those who have registered will then receive an SMS with a date, time, venue, and unique code. SMS messages will be sent out a few days in advance in order for clients to make the necessary arrangements. Please do not visit vaccination sites if you have not received your SMS to confirm your appointment”, said District Director Mr Zee Brickles.

Kitty is one of 81 980 persons over the age of 60 living in the Garden Route District. Registration on EVDS has been slow in some sub-districts.

The following percentage of persons over 60 have registered in the following sub-districts:

– Knysna sub-district: 56%
– Mossel Bay sub-district:  50 %
– Hessequa sub-district: 46%
– Bitou sub-district: 40%
– George sub-district: 33%
– Kannaland sub-district: 27%
– Oudtshhorn sub-district: 52%

We ask that you assist a family member, friend or neighbour to register so that they can receive the vaccine and be protected against severe illness from COVID-19.

To register, please visit www.westerncape.gov.za and click on the link, or Dial *134*832# and follow the prompts (FREE on all South African Networks), or WhatsApp the word REGISTER to 0600 123456.

Appointments for vaccinations for over 60’s

We expect most people (above 60) who have registered to start getting their SMS in 2 to 3 weeks. If you missed your appointment date, don’t worry. All unredeemed vaccination vouchers will remain open on the database. The system will then generate a second appointment date, venue and time. If you unfortunately miss this appointment, the system will generate a third invitation. Should you miss your third appointment, the system will close your registration and you will need to contact 0800 029 999. Those residents who have registered and still waiting for their second SMS, please do not worry. Public sites will soon open. We urge residents to take up their invitation to be vaccinated the first time they receive their invitation SMS.

We urge people to only come to a vaccination site if you have received the second SMS confirming your appointment and your unique code.

Caption: Katty can’t wait to see her children and grandchildren after being fully vaccinated.
Caption 2: Katty receives her vaccination from Rabanya Lebone as part of Phase 2 of the vaccine roll-out.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za