Residents in rural areas within the Western Cape, and the Winelands area specifically, may face the challenge of accessing the Covid-19 vaccine. However, school learners have started receiving their doses at school, thanks to the Winelands Vaxi Taxi.
The Winelands Vaxi Taxi team has been serving the Winelands community and has accomplished more than they set out to. The team has started taking the Covid-19 vaccinations to schools, and learners are now able to access the vaccinations without missing out on school during the week.
According to Deanna February as EMS spokesperson, the Vaxi Taxi-team visited Noorder-Paarl Secondary School on Thursday, 24 February and vaccinated 110 school learners.
“We were pleased with the turnout, and we were able to exceed our 90-learner target by 20 more. It is satisfying knowing that as a team, we can vaccinate and educate the learners at the same time, by equipping them with the facts and debunking the myths,” said Mr Terence Klaasen, EMS Winelands Vaxi Taxi team leader.
The team of eight – two admin support and cold chain management officials, three vaccination administers, a registration official and the team leader – intends to reach as many communities as possible within the Winelands region, and they have built and strengthened relationships with key public servants who are continuously supporting and contributing to the ongoing vaccination efforts.
During each Vaxi Taxi outreach the following vaccination precautions and mandatory processes are followed: . Cold chain management – vaccines are drawn up and kept in cool boxes (Proper storage is provided)
– Temperature control and monitoring
– Meticulous administration with vaccine preparation
– Record keeping
Eighteen-year-old school learner, Hilary Snyders decided to receive her first vaccination while the EMS team visited Noorde-Paarl Secondary School.
The Grade 12 learner is a mother to a one-year-old boy, and she lives with her son and her family in the Paarl area. “I’ve decided to get vaccinated to protect my son and my family,” she said.
“My grandfather is a high-risk citizen because of his age and co-morbidities, and I would like to protect him too, by doing the right thing.” Hilary found it easier and convenient to get her vaccination while she was at school, opposed to her finding a way to get to a specific facility or vaccination site.
“The EMS Vaxi Taxi really has made it easier for me to get my vaccination done, effortlessly,” Snyders added.
