COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS)
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) continues to receive numerous queries regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS)
The Surgeon-General of SAMHS, Lt-General Zola Dabula, has assured SAMA that all healthcare professionals, regardless of whether they are civilian or permanent force members, will be vaccinated through the SAMHS.
Lt-Gen Dabula says, however, non-healthcare professionals will have to register for vaccinations through the National Department of Health’s Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS).
“Vaccine rollout is scheduled to begin in mid-March at approved vaccination sites according to NDoH guidelines, and Lt-Gen Dabula is currently busy with an inspection throughout the country to accredit these facilities. We support this step, but stress it must be done according to departmental regulations,” notes Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of SAMA.
Dr Coetzee says the Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be used as the first choice as per discussions with the NDoH. She says it is important to note that this has, as yet, not be authorised by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), and the regulatory status on the vaccines would need to be considered.
SAMA says it understands SAMHS is negotiating with Sinopharm through the relevant military organisations to bring these vaccines into the country as a second choice, indicating that they have already applied to SAHPRA. It points out that companies who are authorised to import products must be holders of the Section 22C Licence to do so.
“We would suggest that SAMHS has a parallel discussion with Dr Anban Pillay from the NDoH about how this could be arranged as part of the national phased prioritised roll-out as healthcare workers in SAMHS should be accessing the J&J vaccine now through the Phse3B trial,” she notes.
The NDoH is bringing the Pfizer vaccine into South Africa as second choice as part of the rollout.
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