Flu vaccine under-stocked, health workers to be prioritised
South Africa has received a very limited stock of flu vaccines and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, government has decided that health workers will be given priority in receiving the vaccine.
Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize has explained that flu vaccines are pre-ordered a year in advance.
"At the time the country (both public and private) placed its orders, we had not anticipated this COVID-19 pandemic," says Mkhize.
"This means that as it stands, our flu vaccines are under stocked.
"As government we have engaged with the pharmaceutical industry and it became clear that the distribution of this vaccine has to be rationalised and prioritised.”
The Minister says they subsequently decided that health workers will be first in line to receive the vaccine.
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Concern mounting over health workers infected with COVID-19
In the latest update on the rate of infection in the country, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the country had 1187 confirmed cases. "We must outrightly state that these numbers do not indicate a reduction in the number of infections. It is merely a reflection of positive results that were received, verified and ready for today's reporting," he added.
"This is precipitated by the fact that the country cannot afford to have them sick especially as the flu season approaches," says Mhkize.
"This is one of the major lessons that we have learnt from countries that have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mkhize has expressed concern over health workers in both public and private hospitals that are infected by the corona virus.
"We plead for the understanding of all South Africans who may unfortunately not have access to the flu vaccine this year.”