The Covid-19 vaccination programme will be launched in Makhanda on Wednesday 10 February. Hospital staff are the first in line, with other high-risk health workers to follow.
Meanwhile, dozens of private and public health workers from the Department of Health’s Makana District (which includes Ndlambe) this week attended training sessions in Makhanda on administering the AstraZeneca Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine.
One million Covid-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India arrived in South Africa on Monday, with a further 500 000 due to arrive later this month.
Department of Health sources told GMDirect that vaccination could begin in Makhanda as soon as Wednesday. However, a sample from every batch must first be tested by the National Control Laboratory at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Monday said this testing was expected to be completed only by 12 February and it’s not clear how this will be fast-tracked.