PARTNERING TO VACCINATE the nation

PARTNERING TO VACCINATE the nation

Clicks is proud to partner with government through Business for South Africa (B4SA) to create access to vaccination, ease vaccine hesitancy and vaccinate the nation.

“Clicks has been an integral part of the vaccine roll-out solution since inception. We have attended all B4SA and Department of Health meetings (where we have given input and confirmed our support) to help craft solutions that work for our customers and staff,” says Vikash Singh, Clicks Managing Executive.

“As the largest private sector vaccination provider, Clicks has a growing network of pharmacies to bring access to vaccines closer to our customers and communities, and we continue to train our pharmacists to vaccinate to greater capacity countrywide,” he says.

By the end of September, Clicks was operating 504 vaccination sites with the capacity to administer approximately 555 000 vaccinations each month.

A turn-key vaccination service

Clicks has been working closely with B4SA, the Solidarity Fund, private vaccinators and the National Department of Health to reach the uninsured population, through the successful roll-out of vaccinations at SASSA pay point pop-up sites.

Clicks has also provided vaccination solutions to old age homes in the Western Cape, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health.

Pharmacist Bronwyn Macauley, National Key Accounts Manager: Public-Private Partnerships for Clicks, says that vaccination sites have been prioritised based on areas of need, with a key focus on rural and outlying areas.

“As an organisation, we are proud to be part of this initiative and doing something positive that makes a real difference and saves lives,” she says.

Overcoming barriers to vaccination

To reduce waiting periods and queues, Clicks has responded to the needs of their customers by introducing a convenient online booking portal that makes it easy to select your nearest Clicks vaccination site. Those customers without access to an online platform can also visit their nearest Clicks where they will be assisted in making an appointment.

Clicks has also utilised their store network to help customers register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and has ramped up education campaigns on social media, in-store screens, radio, and in newsletters. The retailer has created a vaccination hub with FAQs on their website.