Covid-19 weekly round-up: Johnson and Johnson vaccine roll-out is resumed
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that the roll-out of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine would resume on 28 April.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize shared the latest statistics of Covid-19 cases from 26 to 29 April.
During this period, there were 4 065 new cases of the virus recorded. Gauteng continues to have the highest rate of infection with 26.8 per cent of total cases. There were 183 deaths during the same period. The Western Cape has the highest number of Covid-19-related deaths. As of 29 April, there were also more than 10 million Covid-19 tests conducted.
As of 29 April, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol is 307 591.
In a press statement, Mkhize said that the vaccination roll-out process resumed on 28 April. This, after the roll-out of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, was paused due to concerns about blood clots. He said that this pause allowed scientists to guide health professionals on the potential links between the vaccine and blood clots.
However, he said, “It has since been established there is a one in a million chance of getting the clot after the vaccine and that it appears that women between the ages of 18 and 48 years old are particularly at risk. With such a low probability of developing a clot, all the regulators across the world have recommended the continued use of Johnson and Johnson.”
He added that South Africa will receive over 650 000 doses of Pfizer before 17 May, with a further 325 560 arriving in the week of 17 May. “We are therefore more than ready to begin phase two on time.”
Mkhize also said that there has been a surge of infections in the Northern Cape, the Free State and the North West. “We must continue to urge fellow citizens in all the provinces to adhere to basic health protocols – in particular, we must remind South Africans that the wearing of masks in public places is still compulsory under the Disaster Management Act.”
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