The Vaccination Drive-Through Station at the Windhoek Showgrounds is scheduled to start operating on Tuesday, 20 July 2021. Using the Showgrounds’ entrance from Bell Street only, vaccinations are to be done from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10h00 to 18h00.
According to a media statement, walk-ins are also welcome and will be accommodated in a different line than scheduled drive-through vaccinations. Tuesday is scheduled to kick off with only Sinopharm vaccines, while AstraZeneca and possibly other vaccines are to be added as soon as those are received by the health ministry.
This initiative is powered by Gondwana Collection Namibia, the Gondwana Care Trust, FNB Namibia, Vaccines for Hope and also supported by several private companies under the umbrella of the health ministry.
All health and Covid-19 protocols are implemented and managed by OSH-Med international and E.M.A. Rescue Service, with WestCare Medical Centre availing enrolled nurses. Namibia Health Risk Solutions and the NHP medical aid fund have likewise come on board to enable logistics for walk-in vaccinations, and to contribute to nursing services.
The statement added that the idea of the new service is not to replace standard vaccination sites, but instead to alleviate pressure on the existing sites, as well as to offer a vaccination facility open on weekends.
“In these darkest of hours, we need each other. It is in these trying times that the true character of our nation will be tested - the real fibre of our society”, said Gondwana’s Managing Director, Gys Joubert. “We need to reach out. Therefore, please bring Ouma and Oupa or your vulnerable neighbour, or maybe your housekeeper’s Oupa and Ouma. We hope to make a small contribution to society’s heroes, like all frontline workers and emergency first responders, who might only have weekends to get vaccinated,” he pleaded.
The Vaccination Drive-Through Station will also grant frontline workers preference to jump the line and get vaccinated if they arrive in uniform or in an official vehicle (police, medics, firefighters, etc). It is advisable to download the vaccination forms (https://gondwanacollection.
com/en/about-us/covid-19-hygiene-measures) prior to visiting the Drive-Through Vaccination Station, or to bring along N$5 per person as cost contribution for the vaccination forms, payable at the entrance.
“It is now where we need to be positive – where our physical and mental health both need to be taken into consideration and cared for,” Joubert continued.
“It is with this in mind that we aim to make this vaccination experience a fun and positive one. All the partners in this vaccination initiative were more than prepared to make a meaningful contribution towards the wellbeing of our society and the recovery of the ailing Namibian economy. All companies were more than willing to contribute, be it through the voluntary work of their employees, professional services, donations in kind or financial resources.
“If you want to help our overworked frontline workers, get vaccinated. If you want to help our overflowing hospitals, get vaccinated. If you want to save lives and livelihoods, get vaccinated. If you want your children to have a better future than our current reality, get vaccinated,” Joubert continued.
Sponsors for the drive-through initiative include FNB Namibia, the health ministry, the voluntary private sector coalition ‘Vaccines for Hope’, OSH-Med international, E.M.A. Rescue Service, Westcare Medical Centre, Namibia Health Risk Solutions, Namibia Health Plan (NHP), Coca Cola Beverages Africa Group Namibia, Maerua Superspar, Baywash, Rent-a-Drum, MotorMedia Namibia, Komnik & Franck, African Marketing, Kercon Food Enterprises,
Seapride Foods, Konica Minolta, Windhoek Show Society, Gondwana Collection Namibia and Gondwana Care Trust. Other contributors are Food Lover’s Market, Pupkewitz Group, Agra Limited and CYMOT.