iec Local Elections 2021 LGE VOTING STATIONS OPENING HOURS

Photo: IEC Facebook

Make your mark then get the jab: 1000 pop-up vaccination sites open on Monday

Vaccination pop-up sites will be open at 1000 voting stations across the South Africa on Monday, 1 November.

iec Local Elections 2021 LGE VOTING STATIONS OPENING HOURS

Photo: IEC Facebook

The Department of Health announced that unvaccinated voters will have the opportunity to receive the jab on Monday, 1 November, after they have cast their ballots. A partnership between the department and the IEC will see 1000 pop-up vaccination sites at voting stations across South Africa.

VACCINATION SITES AT VOTING STATIONS

Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla said the pop-up sites would be in areas with low vaccine uptake. The sites will be set up in the voting precinct but outside the area demarcated for voting so as not to interfere with the main purpose of the day.

“We hope that this arrangement will offer convenience in that people will have travelled from their homes and they’ll can achieve both their vote and vaccination in one trip,” said Phaahla, adding that political parties had no problem with the arrangement.

After casting their vote, people will head to the pop-up site to be registered and vaccinated. The health minister said the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be prioritised – for ease of convenience – but the double dose Pfizer vaccine will also be available if an individual prefers it or they are due to receive a second dose.

You can view the list of voting stations that will be home to pop-up vaccination sites here: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/active-vaccination-sites-iec-voting-stations/

Phaahla said the country’s vaccination program has “retained steady momentum.” As of Thursday, 28 October, 30% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.

“We are confident that by middle of November we will reach 40% of adults which takes us a step closer to 70% of adults.  

“We are especially optimistic about reaching 70% of the above 60 years and close to 70% of the 50- 59 years before end of December 2021. We again urge everyone to take advantage of the current low levels of infection before the fourth wave hits,” said the health minister.

In the 12 to 17-year-old age group, 99 000 children had received the jab by Thursday and 187 300 had registered for vaccination. Phaahla said the department expects the numbers to pick up during the school holidays.

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