Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the Electricity Minister must be transparent in his plans to resolve the Eskom crisis. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan Live / Esa Alexander)
Alan Winde: All systems go for Western Cape vaccine roll-out
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has urged residents to register for Phase 2 of the vaccination roll-out
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the Electricity Minister must be transparent in his plans to resolve the Eskom crisis. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan Live / Esa Alexander)
The Western Cape government is on track to vaccinate more than 5 million residents, under Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, Premier Alan Winde has said.
His comments come as national government’s own inoculation plans raise more questions than answers and raise doubt as to whether the overall target of more than 40 million South Africans, will be met, at least on time. So far, over 382 000 jabs have been administered to healthcare workers across the country, however Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has said they’d soon be ramping things up.
“To ensure a prompt start to the vaccine programme in the Western Cape, Pfizer vaccines will be used for the remaining healthcare workers (Phase 1b) and for the start of Phase 2 (60 years or older). This programme will gain momentum by the end of May, as the Johnson and Johnson vaccines become available,” Winde said in a statement on Sunday evening, 9 May 2021.
“As a province, vaccine distribution will take place each month to ensure coverage of 5 076 130 people. By May, we anticipate the receipt of 260 000 of the single dose J&J vaccine and 135 600 of the two dose Pfizer to provide a total of 395 600 vaccines”
Premier Alan Winde
COVID-19 in Western Cape: Nearly 5 000 vaccinators trained for roll-out
Premier Alan Winde further said that as of 5 May, a total of 4935 vaccinators had registered for training in the Western Cape, of which 2891 have already completed their training.
“While we move towards Phase 2, it is important to note that Phase 1 is still underway. To date, 68 222 of the 90 840 doses for healthcare workers have been administered. It is anticipated that we will cover more than 60% of health care workers with the limited doses being received via the Sisonke Programme,” Winde said.
The premier has urged people in the province to register to be vaccinated, saying it was the only way to eventually build up herd immunity and finally defeat the respiratory virus.
“The most important priority in the short term is getting all those residents 60 years old and older registered. This group is at high risk of severe Covid-19 illness and death, and the vaccine will save lives,” Winde said.
“COVID-19 has caused so much loss over the last year. It’s time that we fight back by getting a safe, tested and effective vaccine”
