The MEC of Health, Maruping Lekwene has welcomed another consignment of 2000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses for the Sisonke Early Access Programme.
A distinct pattern of increase in transmission and cases of Covid-19 in the Namakwa District has informed the Provincial Health Department’s decision with the Sisonke Team to focus in this district.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) provides a mobile pharmacy unit to ensure continuity of the cold chain and send electronic data back to their information center. This mobile vaccination service will visit Calvinia and Springbok and surrounding communities from 23 March, focusing on health care workers.
To curb the looming and aggressive third wave, the Department intends to roll out the second phase of 1000 vaccines to healthcare workers in Pixley ka Seme and John Taolo Gaetsewe districts.
Vaccination programs were conducted for health care workers in the Kimberley (3920 doses) and Upington (640) areas under Phase 1 since 28 February.
The waste is less than 0.6% (23 doses discarded), the initial plan made provided for a 5% wastage.
The MEC continues to encourage adherence to all prevention measures against COVID-19. A vaccine is one of the criteria used to curb the spread of the virus. It does not replace social distancing, wearing masks and hand washing or sanitising.
Phase 1 involves vaccinating most healthcare workers, especially those classified as patient-facing, including traditional healers. Research shows that health care workers are 3 to 4 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than the general population.
Additional security measures are put in place to ensure that only healthcare workers get the vaccine in Phase 1. Initially, it was sufficient to bring an identity document to the vaccination site. Now people must also provide proof of employment.
All healthcare workers must register on the government’s EVDS system to manage vaccine allocations and queues.
Phase 2 will include essential workers, including police officers, mine workers, security personnel, retail food staff, undertakers, banking personnel, essential municipal workers, those working in home affairs, including border control and port health services.
Phase 2 also includes people living or working in congregate settings, such as prisons and care homes; people over the age of 60 and people 18 years and older who have co-morbidities.
The rest of the population will be vaccinated in Phase 3.
All security measures are facilitated through the provincial Joint Operations Centre. The Department has engaged South African Police Services for extra security during the transportation of the vaccines.
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