WRAP | Medical aid or not, you won't have to pay for a Covid-19 vaccine upfront

Some final thoughts from our reporters

As we reach the tail end of the webinar, may main takeaway is that the first batch of vaccines will arrive on 1 February, but then remain in storage for 14 days.

Effectively then, the actual rollout to health care workers will only start around mid-to late-February.

- Kyle Cowan

The briefing has been muddled a bit by technical difficulties, concluding now with a nursing manager in the Eastern Cape Department of Health with 41 years of experience who gives a sobering account of the situation on the ground, says she has never experienced infection rates like this and is now worried about keeping her family safe.

Some new detail has emerged from this briefing on the roll out and how it will be funded, while some details have been repeated. On a side note, it's lovely to see how many high-level women are involved in the roll out.

- Azarrah Karrim

I am sorry, but they have now lost me. The point of this webinar was to share information about phase one of the vaccine rollout strategy.

To some degree, this has happened. But its not succinct, not clearly presented and we are now lost in a whirlwind of words, not all of them relevant.

- Kyle Cowan

This is interesting. Private providers will "purchase" vaccines from a central distributor where they will vaccinate uninsured persons. Dr Thulare says they will pay a "Single Exit Price".

I am not really sure why it will work this way, and it may require some further digging.

- Kyle Cowan

JUST IN | No one will have to pay for the vaccine upfront

Dr Aquina Thulare says the vaccine will be delivered free at the point of care. Funding for this will come from the fiscus and also from private sources. Vaccines will be supplied to public health facilities, and government will be able to claim for patients who have medical insurance. 

For those with medical aid, she says medical aid schemes will be obligated to pay for vaccine shots, as part of their Prescribed Minimum Benefit.

Kyle Cowan writes: We are now lost in the PowerPoint doldrums, but Dr Thulare is sharing some important information. More than 7 million people are on medical aid, and their vaccines will be covered as a prescribed minimum benefit. More than 32 million people will be vaccinated by government.

Azarrah Karim adds: Thulare on the funding, cost recovery and service platform, says the Ministerial Advisory Committee recommended that 65% or 40 million people in SA need to be vaccinated to achieve heard immunity. I have spoken to experts, however, who say this could take years to achieve due to a global scarcity of vaccines. Thulare mentions sources from which government will procure vaccines, but says she will not elaborate further on this. To relieve the burden of the roll out – which will be the biggest SA has seen in its history – government needs to collaborate with private sector. Partnering with the mining sector is a great step to hopefully effectively roll out the vaccine.

Uninsured persons will be able to receive their vaccinations at public facilities. The costs will be covered by the Government. #FightCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/Vg8PoUMUBc

— NICD (@nicd_sa) January 27, 2021

What you need to know about the vaccine rollout:

Want to know more about South Africa's #COVID19 vaccine procurement and rollout strategy? Get more information from this comprehensive guide. #VaccineStrategySA pic.twitter.com/PYfx26zDW4

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 27, 2021

Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela has announced a key Med Safety app, which will enable tracking of adverse effects from vaccination.

So far, initial studies have shown very low levels of allergic reactions, despite mountains of misinformation about the vaccines online.

- Kyle Cowan

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority chief executive Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela is setting out how the emergency use approval process works.

Tonight is the first time that health minister Mkhize mentioned another key approval - the GMO permit - in public, and then only to say normal requirements for public input have been waived. Its telling.

It appears that health officials are very self-congratulatory about the imminent arrival of the first vaccines from the SII.

It strikes me as odd, considering what we know about the extensive delays around initiating discussions with vaccine makers. Here's a timeline that sets the delays out.

- Kyle Cowan

Now Professor Koleka Mlisana of the National Health Laboratory Service, is giving us a lesson on misinformation around vaccines and Covid-19.

Not to be flippant, because this kind of information is important to fight anti-vaccine sentiments and conspiracies, but we are here to hear about the first phase of the vaccine rollout - and so far I am not filled with confidence.

She is talking now about myths surrounding vaccines.She says there is a lot of talk about 5G and viruses, saying that viruses cannot travel on radio waves or via networks. She has assured the public that vaccinations save lives.

She urges the public to be discerning about information circulating on social media. 

Professor Koleka Mlisana attempts to dispel serious misinformation and fake news surrounding the vaccine which, together with a lack of communication around the vaccine by government, has contributed to vaccine hesitancy in the country. According to an IPSOS survery, 47% of South Africans said they would not take the jab.

Had government been more forthcoming and clearer about this earlier on, maybe it could have served to help combat vaccine hesitancy. Experts, however, have lauded SAHPRA’s approval process as extremely trustworthy.

- Kyle Cowan & Azarrah Karrim

We are roughly 35 minutes into this briefing, and so far we were told the first batch will arrive by 1 February as a result of key regulatory requirements being waived, some repeated information on what types of vaccines there are, and a short presentation on the electronic system that will be used to track the vaccine rollout.

But we are still none the wiser how the rollout will happen in practical terms. Will healthcare workers be vaccinated at work? At central locations?

- Kyle Cowan

Doses for Phase One of the #VaccineStrategySA will be delivered using three platforms, including work-based programmes, mobile teams and vaccination centres. pic.twitter.com/rxUTOBztDZ

— Department of Health (@HealthZA) January 27, 2021

We are seeing details for the first time of the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS), which is an electronic platform that will track who has been vaccinated, and you will be able to download a vaccination certificate.

This is for health care workers for now, and will likely be rolled out to the general public as phases of the vaccine rollout advance.

The government will also allow for self-registering for vaccines online. 

The EVDS will also act as a scheduler - healthcare workers will have to register and later they will be notified where and when they will be vaccinated. The system conforms to international data security standards.

- Kyle Cowan

Professor Barry Schoub, head of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 vaccines, is taking us through the various types of vaccines and how they are made. 

Schoub explains the various make-ups of the different vaccines currently on the market. This is important as it will impact logistical planning around distribution of the vaccine, like storage and administration, which the National and provincial health departments will need to take into account during the rollout.

- Kyle Cowan & Azarrah Karrim

BREAKING | Vaccines to arrive on 1 February

Mkhize says the flight carrying the first one million doses from India will leave on 31 January and land on 1 February. Members of the media will be invited.

Once the vaccines arrive, they will be put into isolation and looked at by health officials, which will take maximum 14 days. From then, they will be distributed to all provinces.

He says this goal will allow the country to reach herd immunity by the end of the year.

Mkhize says the government is "cleared" from a regulatory point of view to go ahead with the inoculation campaign.

He said the Department of Agriculture waived a 30-day public input period usually required before the Genetically Modified Organisms Registrar can approve a permit for the importation and distribution of some vaccines. In this case the waiver is for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be procured from the Serum Institute of India.

This will remove red tape for the rollout of the vaccine. 

News24's Kyle Cowan writes: Mkhize's opening remarks seem to suggest that the health department has vaccine procurement under control. Its key to note that SA will only get 1.5 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, enough to vaccinate 725 000 of the country's 1.2 million healthcare workers.

Doses for Phase Two and Phase Three of the #VaccineStrategySA will be delivered through a variety of platforms including mobile clinics and vaccination centres. pic.twitter.com/uc98mIS3jr

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 27, 2021

Mkhize has begun his address

Mkhize to update the country on the vaccine rollout

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will at 20:00 hold a briefing on phase one of the vaccine inoculation. He will be joined by health experts and officials from his department.

This comes as the country expects its first batch of vaccines soon. The country has, however, seen a decrease in the number of daily deaths and cases since the government enforced a tighter lockdown last month.

The country remains in Level 3 lockdown, which means a strict curfew and a curb on the sale of alcohol.

SA is also grappling with the resumption of the school programme, and the academic year for schools has been postponed. The government has also spoken out against fake news and conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines.

Recently, it was announced that SA is experiencing a new variant of the Covid-19 virus, which is said to be more transmissible. Several countries have outright banned SA visitors, and many are forcing South Africans to self-isolate when arriving in their country.

Meanwhile, it was today announced that SA would allow doctors to prescribe ivermectin for use to combat Covid-19 in a “controlled, compassionate” programme. SA’s medicine regulatory body said, however, that clinical trials are still necessary. Ivermectin, which is used to treat animals, has been hailed as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19 by some, but has also been greeted with extreme scepticism.

Follow it live on News24

WORLD NEWS

Covid-19 wrap: Global cases top 100 million, UK expects 'quite a lot more' deaths, China deploys anal testing swabs

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world on Tuesday passed 100 million since the start of the pandemic, according to an AFP tally.

SAHPRA to allow for ivermectin use in Covid-19 in 'controlled, compassionate' programme

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority said on Wednesday that it will allow for use of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19, in exceptional circumstances, in a "controlled, compassionate, access programme".

The regulator said that the compassionate-use programme would be available to all patients, but applications will need to be done by healthcare practitioners, who will need to closely monitor the progress of the patient.

Sahpra said that details of the programme, and application process, would be released in the coming days.

Covid-19: J&J the first confirmed vaccine maker to seek key regulatory approval that will allow distribution

A key part of the regulatory approval process – an application for a genetically modified organisms (GMO) permit - for Johnson and Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine got under way on Friday, becoming the first confirmed vaccine to undergo this process.

Meanwhile, the health department has refused to clarify the status of a similar application for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which is expected to arrive within days from the Serum Institute of India (SII).

Latest Covid-19 numbers

As of today, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 423 578.

"Regrettably, we report 680 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 86, Free State 28, Gauteng 141, Kwa-Zulu Natal 306, Limpopo 4, Mpumalanga 18, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 95 which brings the total to 41 797 deaths," the health department said.

Our recoveries now stand at 1 254 674, representing a recovery rate of 88%.

SA's latest Covid-19 numbers

The cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 417 537 with 4 551 new cases identified.

There have been 243 deaths.

"Regrettably, we report 243 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 65, Free State 18, Gauteng 33, Kwa-Zulu Natal 60, Mpumalanga 5, Northern Cape 5 and Western Cape 57. This brings the total to 41 117 deaths," a statement read.

Our recoveries now stand at 1 241 421, representing a recovery rate of 87,6%

Covid-19 wrap: UK death toll nears 100 000, Dutch PM condemns lockdown riots and US tops 25m cases

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SA travellers expected to be banned from entering the USA today

Travellers from South Africa are expected to be banned from entering the US in line with a host of new restrictions which will be signed into law by new US President Joe Biden.

Concerns around the 501Y.V2 variant have been voiced by top US advisors, including the US CDC and Anthony Fauci.

Restrictions will be reimposed on South America and Europe after former President Donald Trump, during his final days in office, lifted travel bans.

Prof Tulio de Oliveira on SA's Covid-19 vaccine response, the new variant and what lies ahead

Professor Tulio de Oliveira has been investigating SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants every day since February 2020, and he has no plans to stop.

The bioinformatician told News24 the 501Y.V2 variant was a "wake-up call" for everyone to take this virus very seriously.

He also said the South African government was doing everything it could to acquire vaccines, and that it's no easy task to get the response right.

All school management teams and support staff expected to report for duty on Monday

The Department of Basic Education has announced that all school management teams and support staff are expected to report back to school on Monday.

The circular will also made provision for educators who have comorbidities.

Educators who fail to return on the stipulated dates without a valid reason will subject themselves to disciplinary hearing action.

Fake news and rumours can kill, vaccines save lives - Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that vaccines are vital in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasising that false information and fake news can put lives at risk.

Cape Town family still none the wiser about Covid status after two botched tests

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Their quarantine period has ended, but they are none the wiser whether they were infected or not.

The City of Cape Town has apologised for the incident.

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Three days of severe anxiety following umpteen calls without a prognosis or update on the wellbeing of his 86-year-old hospitalised dad has seen a Cape Town man urge Western Cape health authorities to improve their communication with the worried loved ones of their patients.

Covid-19: South Africa records 8 147 new infections and 300 new deaths

South Africa recorded 8 147 new Covid-19 infections by Sunday, along with 300 new Covid-19-related deaths, taking the confirmed death toll to 40 874.According to a statement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, as of Sunday, the country recorded a total of 1 412 986 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

US joins France, Israel and Sweden in blocking SA travel

The United States is set to join France, Israel and Sweden in pulling up the drawbridge to certain arrivals, with special concern about new strains of the pathogen that originated in Britain and South Africa.

Border restrictions were being tightened around the world on Monday in the face of an unrelenting coronavirus threat, after a weekend in which anger at social distancing rules bubbled over into fiery clashes in the Netherlands.

In Washington, President Joe Biden will on Monday reimpose a ban on most non-US citizens who have been in Britain, Brazil, Ireland and much on Europe, as well as adding South Africa to the list, a senior White House official said.

Biden last week tightened mask-wearing rules and ordered quarantine for people flying into the country, which on Sunday topped 25 million cases.

- AFP

SA's latest Covid-19 numbers

The number of Covid-19 cases in SA is 1 412 986 after 8 147 new cases were identified.

The death toll has hit 40 874, after 300 new fatalities.

"Regrettably, we report 300 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 43 , Free State 15, Gauteng 45, Kwa-Zulu Natal 70, Mpumalanga 6, North West 14, Northern Cape 2 and 105 Western Cape. This brings the total to 40 874 deaths," a statement said.

Our recoveries now stand at 1 230 520, representing a recovery rate of 87%

Russia reports 21 127 new coronavirus cases, 491 deaths 

Russia reported 21 127 new coronavirus cases in the preceding 24 hours on Sunday, including 3 069 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 3 719 400.

Authorities also reported an additional 491 deaths, raising the total count to 69 462.

- Reuters

Portuguese brave lockdown for presidential polls

Portugal voted on Sunday despite the country's pandemic lockdown in a presidential election widely expected to see centre-right incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa win another term.

Polls point to a first-round win for Rebelo de Sousa, a former political commentator turned approachable head of state known for candid moments like queueing at the supermarket in shorts, plunging into the sea to help girls whose canoe had capsized or sharing a meal with homeless people.

But observers have their eye on how a far-right challenger will perform - and whether a plunge in turnout could produce an upset.

At stake is a post with the power to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections - a pivotal constitutional role with a minority government in power.

- AFP

Germany to use corona meds that helped Trump

Germany will become the first European Union country to start using the same experimental antibodies treatment credited with helping Donald Trump recover from Covid-19, health minister Jens Spahn said on Sunday.

"The government has bought 200 000 doses for 400 million euros ($486 million)," Spahn told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, working out at 2 000 euros per dose.

The so-called monoclonal antibody cocktails will be deployed to university hospitals in the coming week, he said, adding that Germany was "the first country in the EU" to use them in the fight against the pandemic.

- AFP

Britain still a long way from easing virus lockdown, minister says

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday the country was still a long way from being able to relax a national lockdown despite evidence that the restrictions were bringing down the rate of Covid-19 infections.

"There is early evidence that the lockdown is starting to bring cases down. But we're a long, long, long way from that from being low enough because the case rate was incredibly high and you can see the pressure on the NHS (National Health Service)," he said during an interview on Sky News.

- Reuters

New Zealand probes first 'probable' community Covid-19 case in months

New Zealand health officials said on Sunday they were investigating what they said was probably the country's first community coronavirus case, in months in a woman who recently returned from overseas.

The 56-year-old, who returned to New Zealand on 30 December, tested positive for the virus that causes Covid-19 days after leaving a two-week mandatory quarantine at the border where she had twice tested negative.

"We are working under the assumptions that this is a positive case and that it is a more transmissible variant, either the one identified first in South Africa or the UK, or potentially Brazil - or another transmissible variant," Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a news conference.

It is not known how the woman was infected or whether the infection is new, Bloomfield said.

But since the woman tested positive several days after being released from quarantine and has been at home, the authorities are treating it as a "probable community case".

- Reuters

Thailand reports 198 new coronavirus cases and one more death

Thailand on Sunday reported 198 new coronavirus cases, taking its total number of confirmed infections to 13 500.

Seven of the new infections were imported, a Covid-19 taskforce told a briefing.

One additional coronavirus-related death was recorded, bringing total fatalities to 73 since the outbreak began last year.

- Reuters

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 12 257 to 2 134 936 - RKI

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 12 257 to 2 134 936, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.

The reported death toll rose by 349 to 51 870, the tally showed.

- Reuters

French Covid-19 intensive care numbers down first time in two weeks

The number of people in intensive care units with coronavirus infection in France fell by 16 to 2 896, the first fall in two weeks after having risen by about 20 per day since mid-January.

The French health ministry also reported 23 924 new confirmed Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, from 23 292 on Friday and 21 406 last Saturday.

- Reuters

Egypt to start Covid-19 vaccination campaign: Sisi

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that Egypt would start rolling out a mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign the following day with the Chinese-made Sinopharm jab.

"We are starting a vaccination drive tomorrow beginning with healthcare workers followed by those suffering from chronic diseases and later the elderly," Sisi said in brief comments after unveiling several development projects in Port Said.

- AFP

Mainland China reports 80 new Covid-19 cases vs 107 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 80 new Covid-19 cases on 23 January, down from 107 cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Sunday.

The National Health Commission, in a statement, said 65 of the new cases were local infections.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to 92 from 99 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 88 991, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4 635.

- Reuters

South Africa has recorded 12 271 coronavirus cases bringing the total to 1 404 839.

There have been  498 more deaths.

"Regrettably, 498 deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 45, Free State 17, Gauteng 201, Kwa-Zulu Natal 125, Limpopo 19, Mpumalanga 18, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 71 which brings the total to 40 574 deaths," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

Recoveries now stand at 1 217 492 , representing a recovery rate of 86,6%.