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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - By 06:55 on Wednesday, 4 August, almost 100 walk-in visitors alone were already lined up outside the Mossel Bay Town Hall to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

More than 500 units of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been allocated for the vaccinations at the hall. Those needing their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine formed a second queue.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo visited the town hall during the vaccination campaign, along with municipal councillors and municipal executive management. 

Photo gallery: WC Health MEC visits Mossel Bay

Medical professionals, including Dr Jaco Botma, the newly-appointed medical head of the Mossel Bay sub-district and members of the Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital board were also present.

ALSO READ: Minister pledges support to Garden Route

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'Actively driving roll-out'
In addressing those present outside the town hall, acting mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé said the Mossel Bay Municipality was actively driving the vaccine roll-out. 

"We are happy we are able to increase the number of shots per day. We will soon start a drive to get the whole of Mossel Bay vaccinated, provided we have enough allocated stock."

Regarding the feared side effects of vaccines, Mbombo reminded all that any foreign substance introduced to the body would have an effect.

"It is the body's immune response. If I take a Panado, I may sleep. If Mr Kotzé takes one, nothing may happen. The vaccine is guaranteed safe. Rather take the vaccine than the ventilator, where you may compete with everyone else for your next breath."

Dr Botma said that being in the third wave of Covid-19 and having the vaccination drive at the same time, posed challenges, but he expressed confidence in his team was managing an effective roll-out.

"Mossel Bay is a popular destination and it shows in our Covid-19 cases.

Western Cape Health Minister, Nomafrench Mbombo, oversees the vaccination of Annette van Niekerk. Photo: Jannie du Plessis

'Hopefully past peak'
"Yesterday we had 24 new cases, which is a significant drop from the 100 per day quite recently. At the moment, we have slightly more than 700 active cases, whereas we had more than a 1 000 a few weeks ago. Hopefully we are past the peak."

Botma thanked the Department of Health's partners, such as PetroSA, which provides a quarantine facility, that takes substantial pressure off the hospital. He confirmed that about 111 patients are currently quarantined in the facility.

Botma said that due to the erratic supply of vaccinations, the Pfizer vaccines were reserved for those requiring their second dosage. Vaccination roll-out manager Maria Manuel confirmed that the 1 206 doses were just enough to cover the need in the appointment system. The 1 112 Johnson & Johnson vaccines were offered to walk-ins and used in the rural areas.

Minister Nomafrench Mbombo explained the reason for her visit was to provide assistance in the Garden Route, as it had proved to be one of the problem areas in the province regarding the infection rate.

'We support them'
"We have a culture in the department, that we don't leave colleagues behind when they are at their worst. We support them."

She commended Mossel Bay for its high registration and vaccination rate, which she said was similar and equal to the Cape Metro. Mbombo elaborated on creative ways other municipalities she had visited in the Garden Route this week, assisted the community to get vaccinated and said it was important to remember vaccine allocation was done by national government.

"We are not disadvantaged in the Western Cape, but we must remember the demand will always be more than the supply."

She reiterated that those arriving to be vaccinated should not be turned away and explained why the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is a single dose, was best in rural areas where people may struggle to make a second appointment.

"I want to remind all that getting vaccinated will reduce the level of infection. It doesn't mean that you won't get Covid-19, but it can prevent moderate to severe illness and death. Stick to the safety measures."

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