“Vaccines offer to the peoples of the world a means to control the coronavirus pandemic. A person who is vaccinated has a much-reduced chance of becoming ill and dying from COVID-19,” explained President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“When enough people are vaccinated, we will reach what is known as ‘population immunity’. This happens when enough people in the population have developed immunity against the virus that causes COVID-19, so as to provide indirect protection to those who aren’t immune, bringing the spread of the virus under control. While the actual level needed for herd immunity is not known, our scientists estimate that we will likely reach herd immunity once around 60% to 70% of our population are immune. This amounts to around 40 million people in South Africa.”
10 facts to kick start your understanding our national COVID-19 vaccination programme to date
- Our Government has procured sufficient vaccines for the national vaccination programme – and to vaccinate 41 million adults, it is hoped, by the end of 2021.
- Vaccines will be administered in a phased manner according to a national prioritisation framework.
- Phase one of the country’s vaccine rollout programme began on 17 February and so far over 270 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated. It is desired that 1.25 million healthcare workers will be vaccinated in total, with 500 000 vaccinated by mid-May and the remaining approximately 600 000 vaccinated during phase 2 of the vaccine rollout.
- In phase two, which is set to begin on 17 May, around 16.5 million South Africans will be prioritised for vaccination based on age and risk-profile (extent to which a person has underlying conditions that put them at risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness). This phase will also target essential workers and those in congregate settings (such as old age homes and prisons).
- Electronic registration for everyone who wishes to receive vaccines in South Africa will open on 16 April.
- This phase will include the help of the private sector to optimise vaccine rollout efficiency and speed
- Vaccines will be administered at public and private vaccination centres throughout the country in the months to come in phase 2 of the vaccine rollout process.
- Phase 3 will involve vaccinating the remaining adult population of approximately 22.5 million people – adults who are not considered high-risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
- South Africans must register on the national Electronic Vaccination Data System for in order to be vaccinated when they are eligible.
- In order to achieve population immunity by the end of 2021, it is necessary for 250 000 to 300 000 people to be vaccinated each day (this to be achieved by the end of phase 3 of our vaccine rollout).
South African COVID 19 Vaccination Programme Registration Portal