​Thembisa Shologu
The South African Medial Research Council (SAMRC) through the Sisonke Programme has called on all citizens 60 years and above and to all unvaccinated health workers to register and receive the Johnson and Johnson (JnJ) trial vaccination on its final week. 
In Gauteng, about 244 819 people have registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) since the launch in April. 
"A total of 61 600 doses have been allocated for Phase1b public sector (Gauteng province) to finish off the vaccination of Healthcare Workers (HCW). 
"The Medical Research Council (MRC) will be allocating an additional 20 000 doses to Gauteng from other provinces as part of the Sisonke Programme this week," said Public Relations Manager, Dumile Mlambo.
Mlambo noted that vaccination sites might work over the weekend to ensure that all the doses are finished by 16 May 2021. Phase1b starting date will be the 17 May 2021 with the Pfizer vaccine.
"A protected health system, rapid extension of vaccines to older people and renewed uptake of non-pharmaceutical measures are essential to mitigating the impact of a resurgence in the coming months.
"We understand many people may be concerned about the safety of the vaccine following the pause. Severe side-effects are rare although severe COVID-19 is not," said Mlambo.
SAMRC urged all unvaccinated health personnel to come forward should they wish to receive the single dose of the JnJ vaccine. 
"We wish to let health personnel know that we have doses and capacity to extend the Sisonke trial to health workers who are not directly patient-facing.
"The anticipated third wave has thankfully been slower to arrive than expected and has provided a window of opportunity in which to vaccinate health workers and personnel," said Mlambo.