Limpopo Health Dept adds additional Covid-19 vaccination sites due to high demand

The Limpopo Health Department will further increase the number of available vaccination sites from 20 to 37, due to an overwhelming demand from senior citizens, aged 60 and above.

According to the MEC’s spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, the department will activate another 17 vaccination sites, as well as all 92 community outreach teams.

“This is done in order to improve access to the vaccination in an equitable manner to all the Limpopo citizens,” he explained.

Muavha said despite having limited vaccines, the department has been able to deal with the high volumes of senior citizens visiting the sites.

“Limpopo has from the beginning accepted walk-ins as a result of appreciating our material conditions on the ground, and we have never turned any patient, without an SMS, away. With the 37 approved vaccination sites and 92 community outreach sites, clients are now encouraged to wait for their SMS before coming to the site,” he added.

Muavha, however, added that walk-in clients will continue to be slotted in available time-slots whenever possible.

“Priority will, however, be given to those with an SMS. This will allow each site to take a limited number of people per day because the limited vaccine dosages we receive per week will be equally distributed to all 37 sites, with priority being given to sites that will open for the first time,” he explained.

Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba said they noted that there are some villages that are in the far-flung areas away from the eligible vaccination sites, which makes it difficult for citizens to access them.

“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 priorities,” she added.

Ramathuba is encouraged and humbled by the increase in the number of people who are registered and continue to register.

“More than 120 000 people in the province have already received their vaccines while more than 405 000 have already registered. We are proud of our registration teams, assisting senior citizens, as well as our vaccination teams who continue to make sure no senior citizens who present themselves in our sites for vaccination, is turned away unless the vaccine is finished. Our vaccination outreach teams go to an extent of delivering vaccines to our golden boys and girls who are 90 years and above in their own households. We want to applaud them for their dedication and commitment that they continue to show in the middle of this pandemic ” said Ramathuba.

Muavha added that the provincial department is concerned about a spike in the number of new Covid-19 infections, especially in the Waterberg region.

“From the 176 new cases recorded recently, 102 are in Waterberg and 50 in Thabazimbi municipality only,” he added.

Ramathuba called on residents to remain vigilant.

“While we are trying hard to fast track the vaccination programme, we also urge our people to be strict with wearing of masks, social distancing and using hand sanitiser or handwashing with water and soap. It’s critical to avoid gatherings such as  funerals, weddings or churches,”  concluded Ramathuba.