The Western Cape Health Department has urged members of the public including young people aged 18 and above
to turnout for vaccinate in their numbers to achieve immunity against the COVID-19 virus.
This after anti-vaccine protesters in Cape Town on Saturday said they felt pressured to take the vaccine through messaging in the mainstream media even though government says it is voluntary.
The protest was held under the banner: “No to mandatory vaccination” outside Groote Schuur Hospital in solidarity with Cape Town heart surgeon Doctor Susan Vosloo whose anti-vaccination message surfaced on the internet last week.
Provincial Health spokesperson, Marika Champion, says vaccinations remain voluntary.
“Vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness. Doctors are already noting the major, positive impact that vaccines are having. We encourage residents to get their information from trusted, reliable sources – if they are unsure, please speak to their local clinic or hospital to get more information about the vaccine.”
More than 150 young people have been vaccinated at a car wash in Bloemfontein, they received the single dose of Johnson and Johnson injection.
The provincial Health Department took to entertainment spots to encourage the 18 to 34 year olds to vaccinate.
It says the idea is to vaccinate young people at their favourite weekend hangouts. Some of them say they are relieved to be vaccinated.
“This assisted me because I was at work and I think it will help many people who are unable to go to vaccination sites.”
“I feel so good because it for my own benefit. We had lies that the vaccine is going to kill us, but today is my first experience and I feel so good.”
COVID-19 vaccine rollout update in Bloemfontein
