Next wave of essential workers set for vaccination

POLICE officers, the military and prison warders are the next group of essential workers set to be vaccinated next month, following teachers who could expect the jabs in the coming week.

Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said more than 2 million citizens have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine through the national vaccination roll-out which has been besmirched by supply constraints and delays in dose procurement.

The three-phase roll-out, expected to inoculate 67% of the population which translated to about 40.2 million people by February 2022, prioritised citizens by their risk of infection with the goals of achieving herd immunity.

Front-line health-care workers had the highest risk of exposure to Covid-19 and were vital for the public health response thus receiving the country’s first jabs during the Sisonke Project of phase1.

Phase two of the roll-out began on May 17 and pinpointed about 5 million citizens over the age of 60 to get their vaccinations due to the increased rate of mortality among the elderly.

The Health Department confirmed teachers were included in phase 2 and due to be vaccinated with doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of June.