Health department withdraws “special circumstances” vaccination registration

The Department of Health has retracted it’s circular announcing the vaccination of so-called “special groups” not currently eligible to be vaccinated under the national vaccine roll-out. These “special groups” included ministers, political offices and other individuals.

“Following this circular there have been numerous comments, queries and submissions that indicate that the circular is unclear in its intentions,” said National Health Insurance (NHI) deputy-director Dr Nicholas Crisp said on Tuesday.

“The circular is [thus] withdrawn in its entirety.” Health department spokesperson Popo Maja said the general vaccine programme would proceed despite the retraction, which had “caused unintended consequences”.

The special circumstances vaccination announcement was met with a backlash on social media, with the public slamming ministers for jumping the vaccination queue. Crisp originally announced the opening of vaccination for “special groups” on Monday. Political offices’ staff and people who need to travel outside the country for business and work were among those announced to be eligible for vaccination.

The “special groups” included:

• Ministers, deputy ministers, premiers and MECs, as well their direct staff
• Individuals where vaccination is requested by the presidency, the Minister of Health or the Director-General of Health
• South African diplomats and their families who are posted overseas (during visits in the country)

Aside from those in political office, the “special groups” also included individuals who need to travel outside South Africa for business or work; study at an accredited educational institution; sportsmen and women who need to travel outside of South Africa to represent the country; or to access medical care.

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