Limpopo to step up inoculation drive, vows Ramathuba
Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba says the provincial government is ready to activate all 37 approved Covid-19 vaccination sites as it steps up its inoculation drive.
At the beginning of phase 2 of the vaccination rollout, the province had only six vaccination sites.
This has now been increased to 20.
Ramathuba says the demand has increased.
“The demand from our senior citizens aged 60 and above to receive the vaccine has been overwhelming. Despite having limited vaccines, we were able to deal with the high volumes of our senior citizens visiting our sites.
“Limpopo has from the beginning accepting the walk-in as a results of appreciating our material conditions on the ground and never returned any patient without sms.
“With the 37 approved vaccination sites and 92 community outreach sites, clients are now encouraged to wait for SMS before coming to the site and walk-in clients will continue to be slotted on available time-slots whenever possible however priority will be given to those with SMS.”
She says the department will focus on rural areas as residents have been struggling with registration.
“We have noted that there are some villages which are in the far-flung areas away from the eligible vaccination site which makes it difficult for our senior citizens to access vaccines sites.
“As such, the department has been able to reach out to those areas through our outreach teams and will continue to do so. We call upon our people to remain patient as we will reach out to every single senior citizen, they remain our priority.”
At the same time Ramathuba is concerned about the spike in infections.
“We call upon the people of Limpopo to remain vigilant. While we are trying hard to fast track the vaccination program, we also urge our people to be strict with wearing of masks, social distancing and hand sanitising if not handwashing with water and soap. It’s critical to avoid gatherings whether funerals, weddings or churches.”
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