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To help ramp up the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in South Africa, especially during the third wave, the Cipla Foundation has built innovative, movable vaccination stations. These vaccination stations, co-funded by various partners, will be deployed into various local communities to ensure equitable and convenient access to the vaccine. The Cipla Foundation is known for bringing primary healthcare into the hearts of communities to ensure a dignified and convenient experience for patients.

The first vaccination stations were deployed at Khayelitsha Hospital, Eerste River Hospital and Community Clinics at Vanguard and Khayelitsha Site B. Each of these vaccination stations, facilitated by the Cipla Foundation, have the capacity to vaccinate up to 300 people per day, helping to decongest these healthcare facilities. 

These purpose-built vaccination stations are compliant with social distancing requirements, and provide cover and shelter for people waiting in queues before and after vaccination. These modular units integrate an administration point, where a person’s data is captured and verified, and a vaccination point that facilitates the easy and swift vaccination process.

“We are excited about the deployment of these new vaccination stations in the Western Cape and are exploring possible further deployment in other provinces. We stand together to fight the spread of this pandemic and support the National Department of Health (NDoH) in achieving its vaccination targets in the country. These innovative vaccination stations are aligned with Cipla’s ethos of ‘caring for life’ by providing primary healthcare solutions where they are needed most,” said Paul Miller, CEO of Cipla South Africa and Cipla Foundation trustee.

The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, said: “The Western Cape Government remains committed to rolling out a world-class vaccination programme, providing each resident with a vaccine opportunity in a safe and conveniently located setting. We cannot, however, do this alone which is why I am greatly appreciative of the support provided by the private sector. These pop-up vaccination sites ensure that we can introduce agility into our vaccine roll-out programme and support the rollout particularly in our most disadvantaged communities. I want to encourage all residents in the Western Cape to take advantage of the excellent services that we are providing by registering and receiving your COVID-19 vaccine. Doing so will ensure that we achieve herd immunity and save both lives and livelihoods.”

In addition, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), a long-standing business in the Western Cape and franchised bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, has funded the construction of three vaccine stations which have been set up at Community Health Centers at Crossroads in Nyanga, Brown’s Farm in Philippi and at the Mitchells Plain CHC.

“As CCPB, we remain committed to making a difference that matters in our communities and uplifting our country together. Working closely with the Project Last Mile team on behalf of the Coca-Cola Foundation, we are humbled by the opportunity to partner with the Cipla Foundation and contribute towards the vaccine drive in the province. Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, we have made community the heart of everything we do; supporting disaster management teams, medical staff and patients at Covid Field hospitals, distributing PPE to community care workers, assisting NGOs and retailers with delivering food parcels, beverages and bottled water for feeding programmes, that has touched more than 700 000 beneficiaries.   The vaccine units will be a long-lasting legacy in the communities they serve and we are proud to be part of this partnership,” said Priscilla Urquhart, CCPB head of Public Affairs and Communications.

“The United States government, through USAID, is very proud to partner with the Western Cape government and the Cipla Foundation to provide innovative solutions to support the local vaccination program roll-out. Through this work, and our long history of partnership with the Western Cape Province, we are proud to help make sure vaccines reach South Africans and save as many lives as possible,” said Will Stevens, Acting U.S. Consul General in Cape Town.

People who have registered via the National Department of Health’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) online portal (https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/) will be eligible to go to these vaccination sites for their shot in accordance with the National Department of Health guidelines.