​Rofhiwa Marubini 
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has recommended that pregnant and lactating women be excluded from the COVID-19 vaccination programme at this stage.
That's according to Health Minister , Dr. Zweli Mkhize who was briefing parliament's portfolio committee on health about the latest developments regarding the Johnson and Johnson (J and J) clinical trials, vaccine procurement and progress in the vaccination rollout programme on Wednesday, 28 April 2021. 
"We have received a warning that we should not extend the J and J vaccine to pregnant women and women who are lactating (breastfeeding)," said Minister Mkhize. 
Dr. Mkhize said the decision to exclude pregnant women and lactating is not permanent.
"This is a temporary measure until such time we have concrete information from scientists on what to look out for in this case. We hope that information will come in fairly soon," he said.
Minister Mkhize said the country has secured enough doses to vaccinate at least 45 million people residing in South Africa and that government is working to procure more shots.
"I am thrilled that the first 1.1 million doses of market Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are ready for dispatch from the Gqeberha plant," he added. 
Minister Mkhize also said the country is expecting over 650 000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine before 17 May.
He further called on healthcare workers, including traditional healers, who have not yet registered for vaccination to do soon vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za