Vax facts: how to save our summer

December is the start of the festive season, which in South Africa is all about hot summer days, beaches, shisanyama Sundays, family gatherings and bush breaks.

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To avoid another humdrum summer of Covid restrictions, as was the case in 2020, the Department of Health is encouraging all South Africans to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible.

People who have had only one Pfizer dose must go for their second jab as soon as the mandatory 42-day waiting period is over, and those who are yet to get vaccinated are urged to do so as soon as possible.

Once the majority of the population is fully immunised, the risk of exposure and contraction will be limited and the Covid-19 infection rate will be curbed. This will help enable the economy to recover and save those businesses that will not survive another lockdown.

There is no need to pre-book or to wait for an SMS after registering for your vaccine – simply walk into any vaccination site. Don’t forget to take along valid identification (ID, birth certificate, foreign passport or asylum/refugee number).

You can even go to a vaccination site if you have not registered, and you will be

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1. Safe shopping
Make Black Friday (November 26) safe this year by vaccinating as soon as possible. It takes two weeks after you are vaccinated for your body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes Covid-19.

2. Safe seniors
Encourage or help your grandparents and parents get vaccinated because they are at high risk of severe symptoms and possible death should they contract Covid-19.

A free R100 grocery voucher for 60+ first-time vaccinators is available during the month of November too.

3. Safe learners
Assist children aged 12–17 to get vaccinated at any site. No SMS or pre-booking is required.

Children with an illness that compromises their immunity are at high risk of contracting Covid-19 and should get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The 12–17 age group requires only a single dose of Pfizer to qualify for a vaccination certificate.

4. Safe society
If 16 million adults are vaccinated by the end of the year, projections are that at least 20 000 lives could be saved.

It is now easier for people to access vaccinations wherever they are, with over 3 000 public and private vaccination sites across the country.

5. Be a vax champ
Spread accurate information. For enquiries, contact the Covid-19 hotline on 0800 029 999 or at info@vaccinesupport.org.za in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho or Xhosa. Vooma vaccination voucher enquiries for over 60s: Shoprite helpline on 0800 010 709.

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