Over 1million South African health workers to get first batch of Covid-19 vaccine late January

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As countries raise to the first batch of Covid-19 vaccine, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed on Thursday afternoon that about 1 000 000 health workers from both public and private will be prioritised in getting the first batch.

Minister Mkhize said that South Africa will be receiving 1 000 000 (one million) doses in January and 500 000 (five hundred thousand) doses in February from the Serum Institute of India SII.

“As recently as yesterday, our teams from the National Department of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) were fine tuning and aligning all the regulations processes to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays or regulatory impediments to activate this roll out.”

“We are happy that the SII/ Astra Zeneca vaccine has already been approved by various regulators and is being rolled out in other countries. Therefore, as part of expediting the regulatory process, SAHPRA is applying reliance on that regulatory work.”

He also said that that the acquisition has been done directly by the Department of Health. 

“We urge the public to be patient with us as we continue to engage manufacturers. Our commitment remains to save and protect the lives of our people. We will not neglect our responsibility to protect lives and also fight this pandemic. We therefore call on all South Africans, members of the public, political parties, business, labour, NGOs and community leaders and members to work with us as we start this historic process.”