‘Covid-19 is still with us’

RISING INFECTIONS: HOW PROVINCES ARE PREPARING FOR THIRD WAVE

Officials outline plans to vaccinate millions of people across country.

Provinces have six days to prepare for the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme roll-out as concerns abound that a third wave of infections is already in motion in pockets of the country.

Western Cape

This is the first province to officially announce its readiness with the launch of an awareness drive. The campaign is for eligible people to register for the Covid-19 vaccine. The provincial government plans to vaccinate just more than five million people.

Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo says the province is ready to begin vaccinations for the elderly next week.

“The vaccination programme is countrywide and we understand that other provinces will also commence on 17 May. We are doing whatever we can to ensure that as many people register for the vaccine and then get the vaccine so that we can finally defeat Covid-19,” Mbombo said.

Gauteng

Provincial health department spokeswoman Kwara Kekana says they are wrapping up phase one of its vaccine roll-out and expects to begin phase two next week.

“The roll-out will begin with people over the age of 60 years, followed by people aged 40 to 59,” Kekana said.

“Our community healthcare workers will ensure they have a database of people who will need to be vaccinated at home and mobile teams will be sent to those people. So far, 94 612 public and private sector healthcare workers have been vaccinated.”

Limpopo

In this province, health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba will today launch the Covid-19 vaccination programme of traditional health practitioners ahead of the start of its phase two roll-out.

Ramathuba’s spokesman Thilivhali Muavha says phase one was completed last week for private and public sector healthcare workers. This included healthcare facility staff with high exposure such as security guards.

Muavha said the first phase of the provincial roll-out went relatively smoothly but there were some logistical hiccups in distributing vaccines to various districts.

“One of the problems we experienced in the remote areas was a lack of network coverage because the process requires you to be connected to the internet so we had to improvise.”

On Monday, Ramathuba convened a meeting with traditional leaders to ensure community buy in and to assist with her education and awareness drive.

“As we anticipate the third wave of Covid-19, we continue to urge our people not to drop their guard. Covid-19 is still with us. Continue to wear your mask, wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitiser, keep your social distance and avoid crowded areas” Ramathuba said.

KwaZulu-Natal

Provincial health department spokeswoman Ntokozo Maphisa said registration for the second phase began on 16 April for the commencement of vaccinations on 17 May. The department roped in community health workers to support the elderly with registration and will also be using its Sukuma Sakhe community structures to support registration.

Other departments have also chipped in to support the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) process using personnel, including agricultural extension officers and traditional leaders.

“School health teams are visiting schools, teaching the teachers so they can teach the school children about registration on EVDS. A senior citizen group has been engaged to mobilise the elderly to register.”

People can register manually or through the internet using any device such as a cellphone, laptop, tablet or desktop computer. If citizens wish to register online, they can do so on vaccine.enroll.health. gov.za or visit the South African government website.

For people who cannot register online, they can use the manual system by filling in a registration form obtainable from health facilities and South African Social Security Agency sites.