Police next in line for jab, phase 3 expected to reach 67% of SA in first half of 2022

Police officers are next in line to get vaccinated after teachers.

According to the health department, vaccination sites will be set up at police stations, in collaboration with licensed pharmacies, from July 8.

The three-phase rollout, expected to reach 67% of the population within the first half of 2022, prioritises people according to their risk of infection and socioeconomic necessity.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, police stations have closed repeatedly after police officers tested positive for Covid-19.

Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said the department would soon announce the dates for metro police and correctional services officials to have their turn.

The delta variant dominates the current third wave in South Africa. According to the KZN health department this variant has been detected in 6 districts: Harry Gwala, Ethekwini, Zululand, King Cetshwayo, Ugu and iLembe.

The department said the province was continuing to see a surge in the number of cases recorded.

On Sunday, July 4 the province recorded 1 166 new cases and 11 Covid-19 related deaths.

The average number of cases recorded in the past week was 1 179 cases per day.

iLembe district ranks fourth highest in the province following King Cetshwayo, Umgungundlovu and eThekwini districts.

As of Monday iLembe district recorded 1 727 active cases, with a total of 580 deaths and 22 005 recoveries since March last year.

KZN has 15 729 active cases.

This brings the total number of recoveries in the province to 331 673 with 10 731 fatalities.

As has been the trend in the past few weeks, most new infections have been in Gauteng (60%), followed by the Western Cape (10%), Limpopo (7%), KwaZulu-Natal (6%), and North West and Mpumalanga (5%).

Meanwhile, the province’s Covid-19 vaccination programme continues in earnest. Covid-19 vaccine registration for people aged 50 opened on July 1, and the vaccine roll-out will start on July 15.

Acting Health Minister Kubayi-Ngubane also encouraged those aged 60 and above to still sign up for their jabs.

“If you have a friend, family member, neighbour or loved one who is 60 years and above and is yet to vaccinate or register, please bring them along.”

Mobile vaccination sites will soon be set up at Sassa pay points, shopping centres and other sites.

In addition, private sites will start vaccinating people without medical aid after a commitment was made by the government to reimburse them.

However, everyone still has to register on the government’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) portal.

iLembe districts vaccination sites

KwaDukuza: 9am-3pm
Shaka’s Head Town Hall: July 7-9
KwaDukuza Town Hall: July 10-11
Ashton College: July 15-18

Mandeni: 8am-4pm
Sundumbili Community Centre: July 7-11
Love Life: July 7-11
Amatikulu Hall: July 8
Makhempini Hall: July 9-10
Hlomendlini Hall: July 11

Ndwedwe: 8am-4pm
Mwolokohlo Clinic: July 7
Thafamasi Clinic: July 8
Khasimbe/Mahlabathini Hall: July 9
Thusing Cenre/Bhamshela: July 7
Gcwensa Community Hall: July 8-9

Maphumulo: 9am-3pm
Untunjambili Lutheran Church: July 7-9
Poyinandi Hall: July 8
Maqumbi Hall: July 7
Emambedwini Hall: July 8-9
Maphumulo Town Hall: July 7-9

Department of Education vaccination sites:
KwaDukuza:
Stanger Secondary School
Mandeni:
Imbewenhle Primary School
Ndwedwe:
Ndwedwe Education Centre
Maphumulo:
Maphumulo Town Hall

For more information contact: 066 099 4930/ 032 437 3500 or 033 846 6000.

To register on the EVDS portal log onto vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za and follow the instructions.

You can also dial *134*832*ID number# or just dial *134*832# if you do not have an ID number.

You can also register via WhatsApp by sending the word REGISTER to 060 012 3456.