Making COVID-19 vaccines and other health services accessible

There will be several opportunities for residents and spectators, when the Battle of the Stars pre-season soccer tournament takes place at the Vuyiseka Sports Complex in Philippi over the following weeks, to access their COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Other essential health services will also be on offer.

This popular tournament, which sees 32 soccer teams from Mitchells Plain, Du Noon, Philippi and Athlone going head-to-head, starts tomorrow, 28 January and ends 12 February 2023, with the games taking place between 10h00 and 18h00.

These community outreaches form part of an agreement between Khetimpilo, DG Murray Trust (DGMT) and Western Cape Department of Health. The agreement contributes to the province’s COVID-19 vaccination uptake and to make health services such as HIV testing and counselling, and Tuberculosis (TB), hypertension and diabetes screening available to residents.

“We are grateful to the organisers of the tournament for helping us to take essential health services to residents, conveniently where they are. We hope that many residents will support our interventions at this tournament. This will be another opportunity for eligible residents to ensure that they are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Taking this step greatly reduces our likelihood of becoming seriously ill,” says Dr Hilary Goeiman, Western Cape COVID-19 Vaccination Project Office Lead.

Children who are 12 years or older can also be vaccinated against COVID-19. It is safe and available for free at your nearest clinic or vaccination site in your community. To access a vaccination site for your child near you, visit: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine/latest-vaccination-sites