COVID-19 vaccine reaction

Photo: Canva

Teachers, cops… and prisoners? Here’s who will get the vaccine next in SA

The Health Department has confirmed which workers will be prioritised for their COVID-19 vaccines next – with soldiers and prison staff also on the list.

COVID-19 vaccine reaction

Photo: Canva

The Health Department has confirmed how the second phase of our vaccine rollout will shape up, as several professions are prioritised. South Africa’s supply of COVID-19 shots will increase dramatically in July, and planning is underway to inoculate millions of people from next month – everyone from teachers to prisoners are now at the front of the queue.

Who’s up next for the vaccine?

Dr. Nicholas Crisp, who is a Deputy Director-General (DDG) in the department, has stated that there will be an order of ‘key workers’ who will be invited for their jabs, once senior citizens have had a fair chance to book their jabs. Educators, police officers, and even SANDF representatives are apparently the next in line for immunisation:

“Most teachers have already been vaccinated because some of them are over 60, while others also work as psychologists or registered as healthcare workers. The second stage of our major vaccination programme is now at an advanced stage of planning. It will be rolled out immediately upon the completion of the teacher [vaccination].”

“SANDF has its own military health services and will be vaccinating their own members. There are a lot of parallel processes in terms of the volume of vaccines, but we will ensure that police officers are next in line to get vaccinated after teachers. We have identified 145 000 officials, and 36 000 civilians, working in the police service.”

Prisoners in line for speedy access

Furthermore, those who work in the prisons of South Africa will receive their vaccines through a government ministry scheme. This means that prisoners will also be jabbed ‘sooner rather than later’, in order to keep officials protected.

“Prisoners will be vaccinated through Correctional Services, while the staff will receive their vaccines through the same programme run by the Department of Public Service and Administration with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). Vaccination sites will also be set up at police stations, in collaboration with licenced pharmacies.”