Why Do Vaccines Matter?
Vaccines are an important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This is because they offer protection to an individual, by reducing their risk of infection or the severity of their symptoms. The vaccination programme is a priority in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Have These Vaccines Been Approved For Use In South Africa?
Yes. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approves vaccines for use in the country. SAHPRA assess the safety, efficacy and quality of vaccines and have committed to the expeditious evaluation of these vaccines through various mechanisms, that will shorten the timeframe it usually takes to approve a product.
How Will The Vaccines Be Rolled Out?
The vaccines will be rolled out in a three-phase approach, that begins with the most vulnerable in our population.
Phase 1: The country’s estimated 1.2 million frontline healthcare workers.
Phase 2: persons over 60-years, persons in congregate settings,
Phase 3: The final phase will target remaining adults in the population. The next cohort of 50 -59 year olds can begin to register from 01 July and the vaccination of this group will begin on 15 July. Currently the target is to vaccinate 67% of the population by the end of 2021, in order to achieve population-immunity.
What Is The Process To Get The Vaccine?
A national register for COVID-19 vaccinations, the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS), is based on a pre-vaccination registration and appointment system. All those vaccinated will be placed on a national register and provided with a vaccination card. A national rollout committee will oversee the vaccine implementation in both the public and private sectors.
How Does EVDS Work?
Individuals have to register on the system to get an appointment. Those who qualify will be sent a notification through SMS, with a unique code, informing them of the time and place where their injection will be administered. Individuals will have to present their unique code (received through SMS), their original ID document, valid drivers license, passport or affidavit at the vaccination site. As part of this monitoring system, there are plans to send reminders for follow-up appointments (to receive the 2nd dose).
How Will South Africa Get The Vaccines To Its People?
The vaccine will be delivered using three platforms:
Vaccination centres, work-based programmes and outreach-based programmes
Do Individuals Have To Pay For The Vaccine?
For insured individuals, funding will be derived from their medical schemes (not their medical savings accounts) and administered for free at the point of service. Uninsured individuals will be funded by Government and the vaccination will be free at the point of service.
Will COVID-19 Vaccines Provide Long-Term Protection?
Presently it is too early to know if COVID-19 vaccines will provide long-term disease protection, as additional research needs to be conducted. However, the data available suggests that most individuals who recover from COVID-19 develop an immune response that provides some period of protection against reinfection. How strong this protection is and how long it lasts, is not yet clear.
Source: Dept of Health.
