I am excited to officially launch a new campaign to drive vaccination registrations in the Western Cape called ‘6 minutes for the 60+’, that calls on our residents to give just 6 minutes of their time to register someone they care about who is 60 years old or older.
This person might be your grandmother, or grandfather, or aunt or uncle. They could also be your parents, a close family friend, or perhaps, even your next-door neighbour.
They are someone you know and who needs your help so that they can also get this life-saving vaccine.
I know, by going door-to-door in the last few weeks, that many young people are excited for the rollout of the vaccine and are patiently waiting for their turn. Today, I urge these residents to already be part of the vaccination process, by helping get our vaccination registrations to over 60%.
The truth is that we desperately need your help. The number of vaccination registrations in this age band is growing, but not fast enough. I am very worried that residents who don’t have access to the internet, and those who might not know how to fill out the online form, will be left behind.
We cannot allow this to happen. No person can be left behind because every life matters in the Western Cape.
So, what do you need to do?
- As a starting point, pick up the phone and make a call. If your loved one is on WhatsApp, you can also send a message. I know that they will appreciate this even if they don’t need your help. Tell them about the vaccine, why it is important, and how it protects against severe COVID-19 related illness and death.
- If they tell you they want to get their COVID-19 vaccine, offer your help and see what they say.
- If they need your help to register, help them fill out the form. They will need to provide you with some details, which you will get as you follow the prompts on the EVDS online portal. This portal can be found on our website, www.westerncape.gov.za. If you want to type the URL in directly, it is https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/.
- If you don’t have a lot of data to use, you can also dial *134*832#, and then follow the prompts. This is free on all South African networks.
- You can also WhatsApp the word ‘REGISTER’ to 0600 123456 if you have access to WhatsApp.
- If they would rather fill out the form themselves, explain how it works and what they would need to do. You can also advise them that they can visit their nearest library or Thusong Centre and ask for help.
- If you do help them to fill out the form, please make sure that the cell phone number provided in the process is correct so that the second SMS with the appointment goes to the right person. This SMS will include a code that will be needed.
- If you are going to visit this person you know to help, remember that they are also at high risk of serious COVID-19 illness, so keep a distance and wear your mask. If possible, meet outside, where there is good ventilation.
Another important way that you can help is to become a vaccine ambassador. Help create awareness for this campaign, by encouraging your friends to help, just like you did.
Also help share information about the vaccine from reliable sources, so that more people get accurate information in your communities. There is still a lot of fake news out there, and every person should be given the opportunity to make an informed decision with the right information.
I am confident that if we all come together in this way, it will make a very big difference. We are all in this together, so let’s all come together to help.
And, it will take just 6 minutes of your time.
Let’s do this for gran, for gogo, for ouma.
#LetsDoThis, Western Cape!
