Over the past weeks The Western Cape Department of Health in partnership with NPO partners, have embarked on a registration drive and vaccination of the bedridden in the Overberg. This forms part of the Department’s continued proactive plan to identify communities with low registration, engage around strategies that work locally and proceed to bring opportunities to register and vaccinate vulnerable community members closer to home.
The Boots on the Ground initiative involves a partnership between the Department and local NPO’s where community health workers walk door-to-door in the community they serve to help residents who are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine to register. They also identify those who are bedridden to receive their vaccines in their homes.
Partners John Dickson (70) and Trish Sweetnum (65) were recently vaccinated in their home in Sandbaai, Hermanus. According to Trish, who has not been able to leave her bed for the past three years, she felt happy and relaxed to be vaccinated in her home. “We must get vaccinated especially those who are bedridden because we are vulnerable and have a greater chance of dying,” says Trish. Both John and Trish says they are so grateful for the opportunity they were afforded, and go on to thank the nurses for their kindness and fun conversation during the visit.
Gibson Mboyiya, an 84-year-old from Zwelihle, Hermanus, was also one of the people eligible to be vaccinated at home. According to his caregiver and brother, Maxim Mboyiya, the family is so grateful that Gibson was able to receive his vaccine at home as he can no longer walk long distances and they can now rest assured that he is protected against severe COVID-19.
Across the Province, the Department of Health, in partnership with local NPOs and other stakeholders, will continue to conduct door-to-door registration and activations in malls as part of the Department’s “Boots on the Ground” campaign to increase the level of registration and vaccination in the community.
Call on eligible age groups
We urge any citizen 60 years and older who has not registered or have not received an appointment, to please present to their closest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination. The first dose for 60-year and older remains the highest priority at the moment.
Remember over 35s, 50s and 60s, you can register at no cost by:
Using the USSD service: dial *134*832# (data free) from your phone to start the registration process or send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp or visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. You can also access this link on our website, www.westerncape.gov.za.
