KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala announced on Tuesday the establishment of a Vaccine Coordinating Committee, as part of the province’s vaccination roll-out plan.

It will focus on the management, distribution and dispensing of the vaccine, with the committee involving private hospitals, traditional leaders, the eThekwini municipality, Health Systems Trust, organised labour, NGOs (PEPFAR partners), the academic sector, the National Health Laboratory Service, civil society and the South African Military Health Services.

“Across the province, all our districts have finalised vaccination distribution plans and the key to the success of this plan is cooperation between the public and private sector, as well as nongovernmental, community, and faith-based organisations,” he explained.

KwaZulu-Natal’s vaccination plan will be supported by the Provincial Command Council, which will monitor and perform oversight throughout the roll-out.

District Command Councils will be led by MECs and mayors, who will spend time in districts for the duration of the roll-out and ensure daily accountability and provide hands on support. 

KwaZulu-Natal will follow the phased approach to vaccination. Healthcare workers and support staff, in direct contact with patients, will receive the vaccine in Phase 1, while administrative and other staff will be vaccinated in Phase 2.

Zikalala said a communication and social mobilisation strategy has been developed to ensure that all KwaZulu-Natal citizens are well informed about the vaccine and the roll-out plan.