EXPANSION: New changes related to Covid vaccinations include transitioning from a mass campaign to integrating the programme into clinics…

By Lehlohonolo Lehana

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says his department is set to introduce new vaccines to be included in the routine expanded programme on immunisation at a cost of R3.5 billion.

Phaahla made the announcement during a media briefing following a meeting with Health MECs held in Centurion.

The Minister noted that South Africa continues to experience outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, despite a strong childhood vaccination programme.

He said there is an ongoing need to improve coverage of existing vaccines and add new vaccines to the expanded program on immunisation schedule.

The Minister said the department is introducing a better packaged/derived vaccine that will prevent Whooping Cough, Tetanus and Diphtheria and reduce the chances of these conditions resurfacing within the communities.

“We are also introducing a combination vaccine of measles and rubella that will protect young girls, particularly during pregnancy which may lead to birth defects,” Phaahla said.

He said all these changes, recommended by the Ministerial-appointed National Advisory Group on Immunisation (NAGI), will be implemented with effect from January 2024. 

The Minister also announced that the Department of Home Affairs has made budget provision for the set-up and operational costs for the expansion of Online Registration System by an additional 91 health facilities during 2023/24 financial year. 

This forms part of collaborative efforts between the Departments of Health and Home Affairs to ensure that all births are registered on time, through the Online Birth Registration system, which has been rolled in 161 health facilities with ability to issue birth certificates on the spot.

“These facilities will be allocated full-time Home Affairs officials to provide birth registration service during office hours. The establishment of the system in these new facilities will commence by the end of October 2023. This initiative will go a long way in providing early birth registration,” Phaahla said.

Integration

Meanwhile, the Minister announced that the department has decided to make a number of changes related to COVID-19 vaccinations, which include transitioning from a mass vaccination campaign to integrate vaccination into routine primary health care services.

This is in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

Phaahla said the current available Pfizer vaccine stock purchased as part of the COVID-19 national vaccination rollout will expire at the end of October 2023, while the J&J vaccine doses will expire at the end of February 2024.

The EVDS (Electronic Vaccination Data System) will continue to record all COVID-19 vaccinations until 29 February 2024, thereafter those vaccinated will receive a paper-record of vaccination, but they will still be able to download vaccination certificates as long as they have at least one vaccination code.

“The department plans to procure vaccines for administration in the public sector and will continue to work with the private sector to facilitate availability of vaccines.

All restrictions limiting procurement of vaccines by private sector providers will be lifted, “Phaahla explained.

He added that the investigation and causality assessment of COVID-19 vaccination-related Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs) will continue and mechanisms for processing No Fault Compensation Scheme claims will be retained.

TOP JUDGE LASHES AT CONCERNING GOVERNMENT FAILURES

Deprive: Corruption magnifies the inequality that undermines the dignity of the poor and deprives them of a better future

By WSAM Reporter

Corruption, the massive unemployment rate and the spiralling acts of serious crimes were some of the serious problems that have placed South Africa in a national crisis with the government failing to provide solutions to this calamity.

‘’ Corruption lay at the heart of untold misery especially for the poor’’, said former Constitutional Court Judge, Richard Goldstone, in a hard-hitting speech delivered at the three-day Interfaith Forum held in Boksburg this week.

He questioned the government’s seriousness in establishing an independent corruption investigation as recommended by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The legislature and the executive had failed to act robustly in carrying out urgent recommendations contained in the Zondo State Capture Commission’s  Report.

“There is currently an unfortunate and unnecessary debate on whether the Constitutional Court has ordered the establishment of a completely independent corruption investigating body. It did so in clear terms.

“The government refused to set up such an institution that is independent of a simple majority in parliament. Whether constitutionally required or not, the government has failed to provide any reason, let alone a convincing one, for not establishing such a body under Chapter 9 of the Constitution …” Goldstone said.

Corruption was identified by faith leaders and members of civil society attending the conference as one of the problems putting the country in “a national crisis”. Others are unemployment, crime, power cuts, poor governance, crumbling public infrastructure, among other things.

Former president Thabo Mbeki attended the first day of the conference, held under the theme: “Our Country, Our Responsibility”. Also in attendance were representatives of student bodies, youth formations, women’s organisations, sorting bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as MPs, traditional leaders, among others.

In its opening statement TIFSA, an umbrella body of various faiths and traditions, reiterated its call on the government and parliament to expedite the delivery on the specific findings and recommendations of the commission that relate to them.

Goldstone, former chairman of the commission that investigated political killings in the runup to the first democratic elections in South Africa, said corruption lay at the heart of untold misery, especially for the poor.

“It magnifies the inequality that undermines their dignity and deprives them of hope for a better future for themselves and their families,” he said.

As vice-chair of Integrity Initiatives International, Goldstone is an advocate for the creation of an international anti-corruption court (IACC) to hold both the kleptocrats and their co-conspirators accountable when national authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.

He said over 300 leading figures from across the world, including more than 50 former presidents and prime ministers and 32 Noble laureates who have signed a declaration calling for the creation of the IACC.