The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape urgently calls on the National Department of Health to clarify – across all communities, urban and rural – the Covid-19 vaccination process, as the first 500 000 doses are expected to reach South African shores by the first week of February 2021.
During the last weekly digital conference of the Western Cape Government, we noted that the goal post set by National Government of receiving the first batch of vaccines by the end of January shifted to the first week of February. Nothing, however, withholds government from embarking on a mass campaign to distribute factual information around the particulars of a safe vaccination process in the interests of residents.
National government has dragged its feet in providing clarity on the Covid-19 vaccination process when it comes to payment, process and planning. At this critical point in global history, government cannot spare any effort to assure residents of the safety of the vaccine. It is the only treatment that will lead us out of further devastating waves of Covid-19, and so it must be communicated as such across all communities.
I will however, write to the provincial Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, to establish how and when the provincial department will roll-out its campaign to keep residents informed on the particulars of a safe Covid-19 vaccination process.
I further welcome the survey done by the provincial Department of Health amongst healthcare workers regarding the viability of a vaccine in the fight against the pandemic. I have already submitted questions on the criteria for distribution, the equipment and the safe keeping of the vaccination process.
The DA in the Western Cape will use its levers at the Provincial Parliament to ensure resident are well informed on the state of readiness for a safe roll-out of the vaccine.
