Covid-19 vaccination point at Jan Wilken Stadium

Rudi Bowe

Walvis Bay’s first Drive-Through Covid-19 vaccination point, at the Jan Wilken stadium, is performing well. The number of people visiting this vaccination point is growing and adds momentum in the drive to have all inhabitants of Erongo vaccinated against Covid-19.

This vaccination point will be in operation from 10:00 to 18:00 every day of the week until 27 August.
Walvis Bay Mayor, Cllr Trevino Forbes was the first person to receive his vaccine at this point when it was opened on Tuesday. That was the mayor’s second jab, after having received his first jab earlier this year.
Also in the queue to do their part in the fight against the pandemic was the Regional Councillor for the Walvis Bay Urban Constituency, Cllr Deriou Benson, and municipal town councillor, Albertina Nkoshi, who both received the first dose.
Mayor Forbes expressed his satisfaction with how well-organised the drive-through point is. The congratulated the organisers. He further urged residents to take advantage of this opportunity and get vaccinated. All that in the comfort of their own vehicles.

The Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines are administered at the moment, and is provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health and Social Services which spearheads Namibia’s fight against the Coronavirus.
This vaccination point is an initiative driven by the Office of the Erongo Regional Governor. Drive-Through and Walk-In vaccination station in Windhoek were well received by the public. This spurred demand for similar vaccination points in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
On 31 August this vaccination station moves to the rugby field next to the Swakopmund Dome. It will run until 10 September.  Support for this effort are from the Gondwana Collection Namibia and the Gondwana Care Trust, Seawork Cares Foundation and is sup-ported by several private companies under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Social Services.  All health and Covid-19 protocols are implemented and managed by OSH-Med international and E.M.A. Rescue Service. Westcare Medical Centre is availing enrolled nurses. Namibia Health Risk Solutions (NHRS) and NHP medical aid fund enable logistics for walk-in vaccinations and contribute to the nursing services.
All partners in this initiative were more than prepared to contribute through voluntary work of their employees, professional services, donations in kind, or financial resources. Sponsors include the Office of the Erongo Governor, Ministry of Health and Social Services, OSH-Med international, E.M.A. Rescue Service, Westcare Medical Centre, Namibia EMS, Namibia Health Risk Solutions, Namibia Health Plan (NHP), Seawork Cares Foundation, Namibia Breweries Limited, Baywash, Rent-a-Drum, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Gondwana Care Trust, Slowtown Coffee Roasters, Paratus Namibia (Walvis Bay site), Konica Minolta, Food Lover’s Market, Barco Namibia, Cancer Association of Namibia, Seapride Walvis Bay, Agra Limited and Walvis Bay Self Service (Multisave).

The Vaccination Drive-Through Station hopes to target frontline workers such as police officers, medics, and fire fighters and will allow such personnel to jump the line and get vaccinated if they arrive in uniform or in an official vehicle.
Interested individuals or companies who would like to support this initiative financially, or in kind, are welcome to contact the Gondwana Care Trust vax@gcnam.com Volunteers for administration and parking welcome can also contact us via email. A beverage and meal will be provided per 4-hour shift. The public is requested to download and print vaccinations forms prior to their visit to the Drive-Through and Walk-In Vaccination Station from https://gondwana-collec-tion.com/…/covid-19-hygiene… to help speed up the process at the vaccination station.