On a decision to open the vaccination rollout to all citizens, she said the plan was to vaccinate the most vulnerable first.Buthelezi told MPs that there was a process in place to monitor adverse findings after the vaccination. “We have received reports of some people who have developed serious adverse effects after the vaccination and we have got a team of specialists called the national immunisation safety expert committee that is doing the work for us.
Buthelezi also clarified the matter over allegations that the government turned away a donation of Sputnik vaccines. “We have never received this donation, we have checked all over and checked with the Russian Development co-operation, we are not sure where the media got this information from.” Even if the government received the donation, Buthelezi said the department would have had to await the approval and registration of the vaccine from Sahpra.
Giving an update on Gauteng, Buthelezi confirmed that the department met premier David Makhura, MECs and councillors to discuss the issue around the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. There will be an increases in nurses as well as oxygens to assist the province in its response.