The daily COVID vaccination rate in South Africa plunged this week, prompting fears that the vaccination drive may be losing steam. This comes amid criticism around insufficient information about vaccinations in more remote and impoverished communities.
Just 159 542 doses were administered on 20 September, the lowest weekday total since 13 August, when 147 307 jabs were given, according to government statistics.
That falls short of its target of 300 000 daily doses (which is yet to be obtained), and also the lowest since 18-to-35 year-olds became eligible for vaccines on 1 September.
As of Wednesday, 22 September South Africa has administered 16.56 million doses, but only 8.23 million of the country’s almost 40 million adults are fully vaccinated. Of those fully vaccinated, about 44% are the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
To achieve 70% coverage of the adult population by December, a further 18 million adults will need to be vaccinated, noted health minister Dr Joe Phaahla.
In an address to the media on Friday, 17 September, Dr Phaahla said that the government is still focused on adult vaccinations, with the main priority being the 50 and older age group ahead of a possible year-end fourth wave. Dr Phaahla also noted the South African health regulator’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for use for children 12 years and older, saying that the policy of vaccination of under 18s would be revisited based on the total number of adults vaccinated by the end of October.
“Even though we know the Pfizer vaccine has been approved [for children], we want to remain focused on the high-risk people as of now.
“If we can reach 70% of the 50+ age group when the next wave comes, our hospitals will not be as overwhelmed as they have been.”
Dr Phaahla added that the government is aware of pressure from schools for vaccinations of children. Other factors to be taken into account are the local government elections on 1 November — a possible super-spreader event — and a surplus vaccine supply to enable targeting under 18s.
“We think it will be very risky to be all over and start just vaccinating people everywhere. Let’s manage the schools, and keep on pushing the elderly to get vaccinated.”
On Wednesday, 22 September, there were 2967 new COVID cases, with a case positivity rate of 7%. The total number of vaccinations on that day was slightly higher, but only stood at 187 003, short of the government’s goal of 300 000 per day. Of these, 110 847 were fully vaccinated, 45.3% from J&J doses.
Source: BusinessTech
