News

To date, we have vaccinated 220 822 persons in the Overberg District, this includes health workers (as part of the Sisonke trial) and educators.   

We again call on everyone eligible for their booster dose to take up this opportunity as we have now exited the fourth wave and are in a good position to ensure we get as much protection against further waves and variants.

It is very important that people keep up vaccination after their first (primary) vaccine, to include additional (booster) doses where available. The booster dose helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease. These booster doses are available to all persons, aged 18 years and older.  

Individuals who have received one dose of the J&J vaccine will be eligible to receive a booster dose of the J&J vaccine after an interval of at least two months (60 days).  Individuals who have received two primary doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be eligible to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine after an interval of at least six months (180 days).  

It is given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease. Research has shown that over time the protection against infection, and to a lesser degree severe disease, may drop to below satisfactory levels. This is when booster doses are recommended. It will also increase immunity against possible new variants.

Health experts at the Western Cape Department of Health are unanimous in that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, for everyone. The vaccine helps prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19. The risk of COVID-19 infection and especially severe disease is much higher in unvaccinated compared to vaccinated people. Even during the Omicron wave, the risk of death in breakthrough cases in the Western Cape was nearly four times lower than in unvaccinated cases, and the risk of all hospital admissions in unvaccinated cases was twice as high as vaccinated cases. 

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can protect everyone – including younger persons, reducing the chance that they transmit the virus to family members and friends who may be more susceptible to severe consequences of the infection.

ENDS