​Lerato Mailoane
In a push to fast-track the completion of Phase one of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize said the country will now have more vaccination sites when vaccinations resume countrywide on Wednesday, 28 April 2021.
This follows, the temporary halting of the Johnson and Johnson vaccination due to fears that it might cause clotting. The suspension was lifted and all those who receive the vaccine will be warned of the side-effects.
In a statement, the Minister said the department had "on hand, all doses it needs to complete vaccinating 500 000 healthcare workers".
"As such, I am happy to say that when Sisonke resumes, vaccination sites will be expanded and has now been extended to 95 sites across the country. These sites will continue to vaccinate healthcare workers during phase one beyond the Sisonke Protocol."
According to Mkhize, government remains committed to inoculate 1.2 million frontline workers under the first phase, which is expected to be wrapped up by 16 May 2021.
In addition, Mkhize said the country has secured enough doses to vaccinate at least 45 million people residing in South Africa and that government is working to procure more shots.
"I am therefore thrilled that the first 1.1 million doses of market J and J COVID-19 vaccines are ready for dispatch from the Gqeberha plant," he said, adding that the country is expecting over 650 000 doses of Pfizer before 17 May.