Discovery Health CEO gives update on the company’s vaccination programme

Discovery Health CEO, Ryan Noach, provided a comprehensive update on the company's involvement in the Mass Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign in South Africa. Since the launch of the program, Noach described the experience as 'absolutely incredible', highlighting the profound impact the vaccination sites have had on the elderly population. Many elderly individuals, who have been living in fear and under strict social distancing measures for over a year, have expressed relief and peace of mind after receiving the vaccine. The vaccination site at one discovery place has been instrumental in providing a sense of hope and protection to those most vulnerable to the virus. Noach revealed that the company plans to expand to a total of 25 sites in the near future, with a goal of achieving 40,000 vaccinations per day by mid-June or early July. Currently, the site at one discovery place has the capacity to administer 1200 vaccines per day, with plans to increase to 2500 per day with the opening of a new center on the first floor of the building. This ambitious target symbolizes a significant milestone in the collective effort to combat the pandemic. Noach also emphasized the collaborative nature of the vaccination campaign, highlighting the partnership between the government and the private sector. He likened the approach to the solidarity witnessed during the 2010 World Cup, where a unified effort led to success. Despite facing challenges in vaccine procurement, establishing indemnity funds, and ensuring safety protocols, the partnership between Discovery Health and the Department of Health has been pivotal in driving the vaccination process forward. Through the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS), individuals are allocated to vaccination sites, streamlining the process and maximizing efficiency. Noach expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the nation's vaccination efforts and underscored the importance of unity and cooperation in achieving mass immunization.