A nurse administers Bjorn Gerbert with a vaccine jab at the first free drive-thru vaccination site set up by the community in partnership with government at the Zwartkops Raceway along the R55 in Centurion, 13 August 2021. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Gauteng reached a record total of three million Covid-19 vaccines this week, bringing the total of fully vaccinated people in the province to 1,310,372.
On Friday alone, the Gauteng health department said over 75,000 jabs were administered.
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Although hesitant to celebrate just yet, Gauteng health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said there had been a consistent, albeit slight, decrease in daily Covid-19 cases in the province and the country over the past week.
Months ago, Gauteng was seen as the epicentre of the virus.
The department warned there was always a risk of a resurgence of infections, and that government remained concerned that the lingering third wave could overlap with the fourth wave.
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“We still need to move with speed to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of the anticipated fourth wave of Covid-19,” Mokgethi urged.
To simplify the process of receiving a vaccine even more, the department reminded residents all Gauteng vaccine sites, both private and public, were accepting walk-ins, regardless of whether people were registered on the EVDS or not.
Those who have already received their first of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine are also reminded to return for their second jab 42 days after the first.
“Given that the Covid-19 vaccines reduce people’s chances of getting severe illness and hospitalisation in the event they contract the coronavirus, all eligible people are urged to prioritise getting their jabs.”
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