Limpopo Health encourages travellers to use vaccination points at roadblocks

The Department of Health has reminded the public that booster COVID-19 vaccines are available. People who received the second dose of their Pfizer jab at least six months ago can now get their booster shot.

South Africa has not reached its ambitious coronavirus vaccination target for the year.

The Department of Health has reiterated the call for young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the festive season continues.

COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna does not expect any problems in developing a booster shot to protect against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and could begin work in a few weeks, Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in an interview.

Health Minister, Joe Phaahla has raised concerns about the decline in the uptake of  COVID-19 vaccinations in the last few days. Briefing the media on Friday morning, Phaahla says this will have a negative impact on the fight against the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The South African Government has signed an agreement with the African Vaccination Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to donate more than 2 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines to African countries.

Health authorities in the North West have raised concerns about the sharp increase in coronavirus infections among healthcare workers.

A group of anti-vaccine NGOs advocating for children's rights is heading to the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday. The group is seeking a court date to have its matter heard after filing an urgent application to interdict government from vaccinating their children.

The Free State Department of Health is concerned with the rapid rise of COVID-19 daily infections in the province driven by the Omicron variant.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned that government could soon take a decision on mandatory vaccinations for workers.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says the provincial government will partner with religious groups and traditional leaders to enhance the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out campaign.

More than 17 million people have so far been fully vaccinated or received one of the two COVID-19 vaccinations in South Africa. The Department of Health Acting Director-General, Dr Nicholas Crisp says the number of people getting vaccinated has been fluctuating.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and Deputy Minister of  Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo brief the media on government’s efforts in the fight against  COVID-19 and the national vaccination rollout programme.

The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) has approved a third (booster) dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 18 years and older.

As the Western Cape experiences a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, a mobile vaccination service has been welcomed by the community of Pella near Atlantis along the Cape West Coast.

Funeral parlours in Soweto, Gauteng, are urging South Africans to get vaccinated and reduce COVID-19 related deaths in the country.

The debate about mandatory vaccines has reached fever pitch as efforts to contain COVID-19 accelerate. Compelling scientific, ethical and legal arguments have been advanced around whether or not people should be forced to be vaccinated. Some countries have already introduced mandates which require people to produce proof of vaccination to access certain public places.

Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi says government is now working to finalise consultations on the introduction of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

A major British study into mixing COVID-19 vaccines has found that people had a better immune response when they received a first dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech shots followed by Moderna nine weeks later.

The World Bank on Monday said its funding had helped deliver 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines around the world and it would reach the 150-million mark by the end of the month if doses arrive as expected.

The country's third-biggest labour federation, FEDUSA has deferred a decision on whether or not to support the introduction of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the country.

South Africa's Biovac Institute will start making Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine early next year after receiving the drug substance from Europe, a Pfizer executive said on Monday.

The University of Venda in Thohoyandou Limpopo has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for students and staff. University Spokesperson Takalani Dzaga says the policy will be effective from January 1, 2022.

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) chief executive Cas Coovadia has encouraged churches and other places in which people gather to be open to the idea of making them vaccination sites.

The Department of Health says 57 949 people in South Africa received a COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday. This takes the overall number of  COVID-19 vaccines administered to 26 324 383 in the country.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has appealed for people to avoid indoor gatherings, due to the high transmissibility of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant. He has reiterated the call for people who haven't received their second Pfizer dose to complete their vaccinations.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says he's concerned about the eight-million unvaccinated people in the province.

South African pharmaceutical company Aspen says its aim is to eventually produce 1.3 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines for Africa.

Gauteng residents who received their second vaccination today say they feel much safer. This is as the number of COVID-19 infections continues to rise.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says there is an agenda to isolate the Russian vaccine Sputnik. She was addressing the 7th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Madrid in Spain on Saturday.