‘Getting vaccinated should be a celebration’- Medicare

Medicare24’s Boksburg vaccination site will soon become an entertainment and errand hub as the company is pulling out all the stops to entice South Africans to get the jab.

The centre, just off the main drag on North Rand Road, plans to create a festive atmosphere with live music and celebrity/ sporting personality appearances, along with facilities where vehicle licences can be renewed and other errands sorted out while waiting in the vaccination queue.

On Heritage Day weekend, plans include a massive braai. Around 700 people are vaccinated at the Boksburg facility daily. “We need to do more, and we have designed the centre around efficiencies that should make, along with the entertainment and other facilities on the way, the wait shorter and more bearable at the same time,” says Medicare24’s
chief executive Mike van Wyk.

“We are doing whatever we can to get people to come and get vaccinated,” said van Wyk.

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“It should be a celebration, after all. Imagine life when we finally get to return to some sense of normality and that can only be achieved when we all stand together as a country, take responsibility and get it done.”

The centre dispenses both Pfizer and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines and, when both are available, people have a choice of jab.

But getting tested regularly is equally as important as vaccination,” said Van Wyk, adding that the rapid antigen test, where mucus is collected from both nostrils, is highly effective.

“There is a difference between this test and the finger prick or antibody test.

“The antigen test is accurate and getting tested takes a few minutes, but it could save your life and the lives of those around you.” The test takes around 45 minutes from start to finish.

“The antibody test only tells you whether you have antibodies against Covid in your body, but there is no way of telling where you actually have the disease.”

Medicare24 runs two vaccination centres. The other is at Carnival City.