​Lerato Mailoane​
Gauteng Premier David Makhura has called for the urgent roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. 
“The vaccination plan has to be rolled out urgently and massively to save lives and enabled the economy to recover fully. In Gauteng alone, over 400 000 people contracted coronavirus, while almost 10 000 succumbed to the respiratory disease,” said Makhura on Tuesday when delivering the State of the Province Address. 
The Premier said the province intended to vaccinate 67% (10.4 million people) of Gauteng’s population. 
He further asked Gauteng residents to heed to call to vaccinate as this will curb the possibility of a third wave. 
“We call on the people of our province to get ready to vaccinate in large numbers. Vaccines save lives,” said Makhura. 
To date, 5 214 healthcare workers in Gauteng have already received their Johnson & Johnson shot since the programme was rolled out last week at Chris Hani Baragwanath and Steve Biko Academic hospitals. 
The province is planning to vaccinate 215 101 healthcare workers in phase one of the vaccine rollout plan. 
Phase two will focus on 7 372 924 essential workers and vulnerable sections of the population, such as the elderly and people with comorbidities. 
The last phase will concentrate on 2 789 427 vaccinations for the rest of the population over 18 years. 
Makhura said more than 150 vaccination sites have been identified at primary healthcare centres and vaccinators have been trained across the province. 
He also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the healthcare professionals who have worked tirelessly to save lives. 
He commended thousands of essential workers such as the police, security officers, public servants, the military, agricultural workers, energy workers and workers in retail shops, who have kept the country going during the pandemic. 
Makhura painted a hopeful picture saying the province has expanded the capacity of the public healthcare system with 4 265 new functional beds, while 4 992 posts were created and filled between April 2020 and January 2021. 
The province is planning to add 1 425 more beds and staff from the start of the new financial year. 
“This is a significant long-term investment that will outlive the COVID-19 pandemic. What is important is that we improve patient care, clinical outcomes, meet the ideal clinic standards and prepare the health care system for the National Health Insurance,” he added.​