Pfizer Covid vaccine scarce in Gauteng

12 June 2023

It has become very difficult to get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in Gauteng as supplies were stopped by the National Health Department at the end of April this year.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

Whereas 23 390 Pfizer vaccines were given to patients in January this year, rising to 41 883 in March, this fell to 18 859 in April and only 562 from 1 May to 17 May.

According to the Department, however, there is no shortage of the J&J vaccine and eligible clients are encouraged to get it.

The J&J vaccine figures are fairly steady this year, with 14 625 J&J vaccines administered in January, 13 819 in April, and 11 202 from 1 May to 17 May. The latest figures reflect the switch to J&J because of the unavailability of the Pfizer vaccine.

Since the start of the vaccination campaign, 17 808 Pfizer vials and 2 843 J&J vials have expired or been damaged. As there are five vaccine doses in a vial, this means that 89 040 Pfizer and 14 215 J&J doses could not be used - a total of 103 255 wasted doses.

Gauteng has not borne the cost of this loss as it is totally covered by the National Department of Health.

The remaining demand for the vaccine is mostly by immune-compromised people who have been advised by doctors to get a booster shot.

The Department lists 355 public facilities where the Covid-19 vaccine can be accessed around the province, but many are now barely operational, and it is hard to find the Pfizer vaccine at any facility, private or public.

Medical advice is that the J&J vaccine is of benefit even though the patient has only taken the Pfizer vaccine previously, but some patients are nervous to make the switch.

We are fortunate that Covid infection levels have remained fairly low this year, although most cases are undiagnosed as they are not tested. This could change as there could be a new variant, and immunity protection from vaccinations and previous infections wanes over time.

The Department should have the capacity to rapidly expand vaccine provision if Covid infections spike up for any reason.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 12 June 2023