The Western Cape health department has encouraged residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

The department has stressed that vaccinations are the only way to stop Covid-19 mutations and end the pandemic.

So far, only 46.7% of the province's adult population is fully vaccinated. At least 53% have received at least one vaccine dose. According to the department, it has seen an uptick in vaccination rates.

"We have seen small increases in all age groups and would really like to improve the vaccination coverage so that we can have 85% of the over-50-year-old cohort fully vaccinated and 65% of the 18 to 49-year-old cohort vaccinated with at least one dose," it said in a statement.

About 58% of people in the 50 to 59 age group have been fully vaccinated, and 62.93% have received a first dose. The age group 60 and older has the highest vaccination rate in the Western Cape, with 67% fully vaccinated and 71.78% having received one dose.

In total, 49.29% of people in the 35 to 49 age group have been fully vaccinated. It seems young people – those in the 18 to 34 age group – are not showing up at vaccination sites in large numbers. Only 42.02% have been partially vaccinated and 33.79% fully vaccinated. Among children aged 12 to 17, 111 875 have been vaccinated.

"Since the announcement of the availability of booster doses for all eligible age groups, 8 292 people have already taken up this opportunity for added protection. If you have already received your one dose of Johnson & Johnson more than two months ago or your two doses of Pfizer six months ago, we encourage you to also go for your booster dose," the statement read.

The department said vaccination was the biggest defence against the respiratory disease.

"As seen throughout this pandemic, the virus has already mutated into several variants, and the vaccines have proven to be the most effective weapon in preventing us from becoming severely sick. We once again appeal to those who have not yet been vaccinated and those eligible for their booster dose to take up the vaccination and ensure you have the best possible protection as we move forward with our lives while living with this virus."

The department said it will continue efforts to increase the uptake of vaccines in all groups through various sites, pop-up outreaches and the Vaxi Taxi initiative, while pleading with the public to make use of them.