After more than 10 months in operation, South African drinks manufacturer Distell will wind down operations at its four vaccination centres in Stellenbosch (Western Cape), Gqeberha (Eastern Cape), and Springs and Wadeville (Gauteng) at the end of April.
Until the end of April the centres will continue to vaccinate employees and citizens on Fridays between 07:00 and 16:30. Should members of the public like to be vaccinated at any of these centres they can do so until then, after which they officially close.
The centres, a more than R8,4 million investment for Distell, were opened in June 2021, as part of the company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which included supporting government efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Distell’s centres and many others provided by private organisations, have been key to reducing pressure on the country’s broader vaccination programme.
To date more than 12 400 employees and their family members as well as members of the public have been vaccinated at the facilities.
“The support we have received from our employees and their families, as well as members of the community has been phenomenal,” says Anthony Jagessur, Group Manager: Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality. “It has indeed been a proud moment and rewarding opportunity for the Distell team to be of service to our local communities and support the national vaccination drive.”
Distell encourages South Africans to continue to get vaccinated and get booster shots if their health allows, as the company believes vaccination remains the only viable path out of this pandemic, one that will allow a sustainable return to full economic activity.
