GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Health has issued a call to members of the public to receive the first dose of their vaccine in the next few weeks if they wish to enjoy a safe summer season.
Those who have not yet received their vaccine should do so now. If you want to be fully vaccinated by 1 December, the start of the festive season, you will need to:
• Receive your first dose of Pfizer no later than 20 October.
• Receive your second dose 42 days later. This means that you will have received your second dose by 1 December.
It takes approximately two weeks from full vaccination (after your second jab) for you to develop maximum immune protection. This means if you get your second jab on 1 December, you will have the best possible protection from around 14 December – just around the time that many people have planned to start their festive season.
Western Cape Department of Health has set December as the target to ensure that residents have a summer that they can look forward to. The aim is to fully vaccinate 70% of those over 50 years by December, and 70% of the eligible population with at least one dose.
The recently held Vooma Vaccination Weekend drive saw 59 429 vaccines administered in the Western Cape, of which 1 104 were administered in the Garden Route.
“Although the turn-out was much less than anticipated, we commend every person who came for their vaccination, despite rainy and very cold weather”, said district health director Zee Brickles.
“We want to encourage our communities to take up the offer of vaccination as it has been demonstrated to offer significant protection against severe Covid-related disease and death.”
Minister of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said she has launched the jabs b4jol campaign to encourage especially young people to get vaccinated to ensure that we can enjoy the festive season.
“Vaccines are safe and very effective. We are seeing a lot fewer hospitalisations and deaths in people who get vaccinated. While some people have minor reactions after getting vaccinated like headaches or fever, these are often easily managed at home, and the benefit of getting vaccinated is much greater than being unvaccinated and getting Covid-19.
"Please use any one of our vaccine sites. Many who are 18 years and older, who received their jabs from 20 August, are now eligible for their second shot. Please do not hesitate, fully vaccinate”, Mbombo said.
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