Discovery Health’s mass vaccination site at Gallagher Convention Center adds significant capacity to accelerate the national vaccination rollout

JOHANNESBURG 02 July 2021 - Discovery Health is delighted to open its sixth Covid-19 vaccination site to-date at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. With the capacity to deliver 3 800 vaccinations per day to the 3.5 million residents within close proximity of Midrand, the site is one of the largest vaccination centers countrywide and includes more than 48 full-time vaccinators and 150 clinical and support staff. The site is also easily accessible through numerous transportation links and the nearby Gautrain station.

The Gallagher vaccination site is currently open to people over the age of 50 years who are registered with the government’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and to medical scheme members who have an online booking through Discovery’s Vaccination Portal on the Discovery website.

Discovery is also working alongside the Gauteng Departments of Health and Education, to vaccinate teachers from across Gauteng. With 125 000 educators in Gauteng, the Gallagher mass vaccination site is well located and accessible to seven Gauteng Department of Education districts, with the capacity to vaccinate nearly a third of all teachers in the province.

Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Health, Dr Ryan Noach explains, “this is a significant contribution to the country’s current rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines and Gauteng’s efforts to vaccinate all teachers across the province as quickly as possible. It is an honour and an incredibly proud moment for us as Discovery Health to contribute meaningfully to the country’s largest and most crucial public health intervention of the century. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods in South Africa and the world. Therefore, there has never been a more profound moment for us to demonstrate our values of making people healthier and protecting their lives.”

Discovery Health has worked extensively to create access to Covid-19 vaccinations for members and clients of Discovery and the South African population more broadly. The network of vaccination sites includes Discovery vaccination sites and partner provider networks comprising pharmacy groups, GP practices, and hospitals groups across the country. Discovery’s vaccination site at Gallagher Convention Centre is part of this network and a significant contributor to the combined target of delivering 40 000 vaccinations per day at the peak of the rollout.

Commenting from Gallagher vaccination site, MEC Panyaza Lesufi said, “we were part of the team that persuaded the National Minister to prioritise teachers as part of the next phase of the national rollout. We are thankful they responded positively to our call. I am also relieved and happy to see the number of teachers that are showing up to get vaccinated. I want to thank educators who have taken a decision to get vaccinated, a decision that will protect the sector and our learners. I also want to thank Discovery for supporting our department and the National Government in accelerating the rolling out of vaccines to our educators.”

All Discovery vaccination sites are open to anyone who has registered and obtained a valid vaccination code from EVDS. Online bookings are available for medical scheme members through Discovery’s Vaccination Portal available on the Discovery website. Teachers will be scheduled for vaccination at the site by their school and the Gauteng Department of Education. All COVID-19 protocols are being strictly applied at Discovery vaccination sites. To keep everyone safe, only people who have been scheduled by EVDS or have an online booking through the Discovery vaccination portal will be able to access the site.

“The country, more specifically Gauteng, is gripped by a severe Covid-19 third wave. It is critical we adhere to mask wearing and avoid indoor gatherings as well as crowded areas to prevent further spread of the disease,” urged Noach.

Discovery extends vaccination site operating hours

Discovery Vaccination sites are now open on Saturdays (08h00 – 17h00) and Sundays (09h00 – 15h00).

People over the age of 50 years who are registered on EVDS can book an appointment through Discovery’s vaccination portal, available on the Discovery website, for vaccination at any of Discovery’s vaccination sites.

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