The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has accused government of a lack of progress in the COVID-19 vaccine roll out. It says because two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are required, the process is incomplete.
According to the Department of Health’s latest report, 870 477 people have received their first Pfizer dose since the Phase 2 rollout started on 17 May.
Africa CDC confident South Africa will be able to speed up the vaccine roll out:
Saftu spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, says other local factors that continue to hamper the roll out include shortages caused by government’s initial reliance on one supplier.
“From barely 700 000 inoculations two weeks ago to 1.3 million inoculations (including the incomplete Pfizer doses) last Friday; means we are administering just over 60 000 doses a day and regrettably, only on weekdays. At the pace of 60 000 per day, government will only achieve the goal of inoculating 67% of the adult population in 1 year and 9 months.”
Teachers disappointed with vaccine delays
Some teachers have expressed their disappointment about the delay in getting them vaccinated.
The rollout of 480 000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to educators was expected to start on Wednesday. However, the process has been paused pending the go-ahead from United States medicines regulator, the Food and Drug Administration for the release of the vaccines after contamination issues at a vaccine manufacturing plant in Baltimore.
Naptosa’s Basil Manuel weighs in on the education sector’s vaccine roll out:
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one teacher described the conditions she faces in the classroom daily.
“It’s very concerning and extremely disappointing because in January when teachers were marking matric exams, many promises were made with regards to teachers being frontline workers. We were promised at that stage to be given the vaccine with health workers because we are in a dangerous environment as well; working with paper, working in confined spaces with learners. Now that we are heading into the winter months, yes we are very concerned.”
WHO encourages South Africa to continue roll out of the J&J vaccine:
