Vaccination sites in Witpoortjie and Discovery operational
As of June 7, there are two sites within the Roodepoort area where residents 60 years and older can receive their vaccines, and walk-ins are allowed.
Since 26 May, several non-medical sites equipped to administer Covid-19 vaccines throughout the City of Johannesburg had been opened.
The sites were allocated to assist the provincial government with Phase 2 (residents 60 years and above) and Phase 1b (healthcare workers) of its vaccination roll-out programme. Gradually, more sites have been opened, and while the initial list of sites did not include any in the Roodepoort area, as of June 7 there are two places residents can go to get vaccinated locally.
The current vaccination phase, Phase 2, prioritises citizens that are 60 years and older because they are considered ‘high risk’ and are more vulnerable to serious illness, hospitalisation and death if they contract Covid-19. Ward 85 councillor, Sonja Meyer, is urging residents to register for their vaccines and make use of the available sites. Walk-ins are allowed, so you can visit a site, get registered, and have your vaccine administered ‘within a few minutes’.
When Record journalist, Amy Slocombe, visited the Witpoortjie site, the process seemed to run very smoothly. There was no congestion, residents were met with friendly nurses, and their vaccines were administered relatively quickly. They were then guided to a sitting area where they were asked to wait for 15 minutes before leaving, just to ensure that there were no allergic reactions to the vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that an allergic reaction to the vaccine is very rare; however, they recommend that those with a history of severe allergic reactions stay at the site for observation for up to 30 minutes before leaving.
Vaccination sites are at the following locations:
• Discoverers Community Healthcare Centre – located at 35 Clarendon Drive, Discovery
• Witpoortjie Recreation Centre – located on the corner of Vermooten and South Roads, Princess AH
Communications manager for the Johannesburg Health District, Sandile Gwayi, explained that these sites should be operational until at least October, when Phase 2 of the vaccination programme is expected to reach its conclusion. Thereafter, they may extend the availability of the sites for the rest of the phases. Sandile did say that the October date is unconfirmed and is subject to change, but should there be any changes, the Record will post an update.
“The City is aiming at vaccinating about 67% of its 5,4 million residents in the next year or two,” said the MMC for Health and Social Development, Eunice Mgcina.
For assistance and more information on how to register, contact the Covid-19 toll-free hotline on 0800 029 999. Read more about how you can register here.
