DURBAN – The eThekwini Municipality has decided to close its vaccination sites on public holidays over the Christmas and New Year weekends.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said all community vaccination sites, including the mobile beachfront pop-up, will be closed between December 25 and 27, as well as December 31 and January 1, 2022.
“The closure is due to the low numbers of people getting vaccinated and the increased rate of infection among health care workers due to the current fourth wave,” Mayisela said.
“However, the public is encouraged to register to receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Evidence shows that vaccinations remain the most effective defence in reducing severe illness and death.”
To register to vaccinate dial *134*832*ID Number# or send the word REGISTER to 060 012 3456 on WhatsApp or on the website, vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. Vaccination sites also assist with registration.
Earlier this week, during a media briefing, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said fewer people were getting vaccinated.
Vaccination numbers in the province had dropped in recent weeks. The province moved from around 20 000 vaccinations per weekday to fewer than 10 000. Fewer than 3 million people had been vaccinated in the province.
Simelane said the 12 to 17-year and 18 to 24-year age groups registered the lowest rates of vaccination, at 2,9% and 23% respectively. And yet, these were the groups that made up quite a big proportion of the target population.
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