Health Minister assures all provinces will get enough Covid-19 vaccines
Updated | By Anastasi Mokgobu
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has given the assurance that the department has secured enough vaccines for all of the country’s nine provinces and both the public and private sector.
Mkhize visited the Western Cape province on Monday as part of his nationwide visit to vaccination centres in all provinces ahead of the mass campaign that is expected to start on 17 May 2021.
The Minister released a statement on Monday evening, saying the mass vaccination represents hope for the nation after the social, economic and psychological carnage left by Covid-19.
“It is for this reason that I have embarked on a nationwide tour to assess the readiness of provinces to rollout the vaccines at the anticipated rate that will be required to achieve population immunity by the first quarter in 2022.
I have now completed three provincial visits and, so far, feel satisfied that Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape understand the requirements and have the inclination to rise to the occasion,” says Mkhize.
Mkhize adds that he was pleased with the Western Cape mass vaccination rollout plan.
“I was pleased to note that the Province has given full consideration to the interventions that need to be implemented such that the Province can vaccinate the nearly 5 million citizens targeted for that region,” adds Mkhize.
He says there is no need for any provincial government to procure its own vaccines.
“The province can, therefore, focus their energies on the distribution and logistics of inoculation.”
Mkhize says the department is hoping to vaccinate 46,2 million South Africans by the end of the fourth quarter (March 2022).
“This tally excludes the 500 000 that will be vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol. We are also hopeful that COVAX will be able to deliver 1,2 million doses this quarter.”
So far, 343 420 people of 60 years and older have already registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS), which opened on Friday.
ALSO READ
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: Actress Sophie Joans talks about her award-winning play
Two extraordinary stage talents, Sophie Joans and Rob van Vuuren, have t...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 20 hours ago -
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 22 hours ago