Image: Canva
Image: Canva
For the second time in two weeks, South Africa has decided to shelve its vaccination drive over the public holiday. The number of people who have received a vaccine in the country so far has been stagnant for the last three days, with the last round of shots – barely over 5 000 – administered before Good Friday.
- A total of 269 102 people have received the vaccine in Mzansi so far – a total that hasn’t changed in 72 hours.
How many people have been vaccinated in South Africa?
There was outrage when the long weekend facilitated by Human Rights Day also saw a similar halt to the mass inoculation programme. However, it seems the Health Department hasn’t been moved by the critics, and they continue to roll out the vaccine at a snail’s pace. For DA Shadow Trade Minister Dean Macpherson, this relaxed attitude is unacceptable.
“For three days running, Dr Zweli Mkhize’s Health Department has been unable to vaccinate one person in South Africa. This continued failure to do what we were promised will cost people their lives. The vaccine ‘rollout’ is a complete myth.”
Why have we got another vaccine hold-up?
Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout – when supplies are a little more replenished, let’s say – will begin in mid-May. This brings in elderly citizens and certain key workers, spanning across millions and millions of citizens. President Ramaphosa is confident that the vaccine drive will soon pick up, revealing that ‘major agreements’ are in place for more jabs:
“We have secured 11 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which we know to be effective against the dominant variants in our country. We have secured a further 20 million doses of Pfizer, we and are finalising the agreement with Johnson & Johnson, so you could say it’s in the bag.”
A total of 2 000 vaccination sites will open across the country within the next month – but there are still one million healthcare workers left to immunise first. Going at the current rate, it’s unlikely that all medical professionals will get their vaccine before Phase 2 begins. The Sinovac, Sinopharm and Sputnik V doses may also be added to SA’s supply.
