​Rofhiwa Marubini 
The government's COVID-19 vaccination roll-out programme is continuing despite being affected by violent protests, this is according to the national Department of Health
The department said its priority was to protect lives.
"Government and the private sector's priority is to protect lives, and prevent harm to staff, patients, and medical supplies and property that form part of the vaccination programme.
"Government and the private sector are adopting a precautionary principle and will be temporarily closing some vaccination sites which have been damaged, or which may be at risk," the department said on Tuesday.
The department said it would also automatically reschedule appointments on Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) for those who are unable to honour their appointments.
The department said the system was designed to reschedule up to two missed appointments.
In the meantime, the department would publicise a list of affected areas and sites as soon as it is available.
The department is also aware that some pharmacies and medical centres have been looted, and that stock has been stolen.
A warning has since been issued to citizens to refrain from buying medicines offered for sale by anyone other than registered medical practitioners, pharmacies or hospitals, and to report any attempted sale to the police immediately.
Everyone who is eligible and scheduled to be vaccinated in the affected areas is urged to call the COVID-19 Call Centre on 0800 029 999 or make use of the various self-help channels: vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za; WhatsApp 0600 123 56 or Dial *134*832# and reply to the messages.