Covid-19 vaccine: KZN roll out now on track – MEC

KwaZulu-Natal is making significant progress with providing the Covid-19 vaccine to senior citizens and educators, as well as healthcare workers who could not be vaccinated during the first phase. 

This was the word from KZN premier Sihle ZIkalala during a media briefing in Durban on Wednesday.

Zikalala said the government had vaccinated 416 967 senior citizens (aged 60 and above); 68 748 educators and 130 546 health workers as at 28 June.

“The total number of senior citizens who are currently registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System currently stands at 553 279, from a target of just over 955 000 that we need to vaccinate,” he said.

He said the province had prepared 359 sites for the administration of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine as well as 102 vaccination sites for educators. 

“We currently have 152 active sites for both vaccines,” he said. 

He said Umkhanyakude and Ethekwini Districts had completed their allocated Covid-19 vaccine doses earlier than other districts. He added that vaccine doses would again be available from 30 June. 

“The province is now vaccinating an average 12 000 people per day.  We are intensifying vaccination of the elderly and also increasing capacity in our rural areas,” he said.

“We urge all the qualifying categories of people at this stage to register on the database.  Let us increase the registration tempo.  If you have someone who is 60 years and above not vaccinated please do something to assist,” Zikalala said.

He said the province would also start the Covid-19 vaccine roll out for police and other security personnel on Monday 5 July. we are starting with the vaccination of police and other security personnel. 

“This is an important move that will protect fellow officers,” he said.

He added that the government was acutely aware of the challenges facing the police.

“We wish to commend them on their good work, especially on dealing with the crime situation in Pietermaritzburg.  We know that some criminals will want to exploit the plight of our people during Alert Level-4. We are sending a very stern warning that criminals must not dare try their luck with the police,” he added.